Should Cheney not criticize any country if they regress in terms of democracy because other countries are even further behind?==
Yes especially if he bashes one country for "slide on democracy" then visits another which much more "sliding" and praises thier leader.
From aside prerspective it seems as extreme double standard. Which in turn gives the reason to Putin to say to all country that "they forgot thier pathos about democracy when concern thier interests". You see? The image of America in eyes of average russian was tainted by Cheney trick.
Well, it is too bad that his comments were not well received by the average Russian. I guess he won't be invited to Russia any time soon.