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The objection on the table is the use of the word "commie" to describe Putin. If that term is objectionable, it is not unreasonable to ask what term isn't.

No terms are particularly fitting, especially "communist". Even during the late stages of the Soviet Union, true believers generally were hard to find (although, for obvious reasons, the rhetoric remained "communist"). A better description is that he is a fairly typical Eastern European/Asian strong and willful leader. I have little doubt that he is not particularly ideological, and motivated more by a combination of national pride, and personal advancement.

I am not so much objecting to the term "commie", as I am laughing at it. So no, if you are looking for a replacement term, perhaps one less silly, then I have no suggestions for you.