That is true but my criticism is based on the history of Russian tyranny. It is growing again not receding.
I wouldn't equate stronger government with tyranny necessarily since Russia's history is one of authoritarianism and its short experiments with liberalism have been disastrous: Kerensky's anarchic regime giving way to Bolshevism and Yeltsin's regime allowing for the rape of Russian resources and plunge in economic well-being, plus defeat at the hands of Chechen rebels.
What works for the USA might not work for Russia.