You apparently don't know very much about Putin. The guy has been in the process of restoring the evil empire for over a decade now. Only this time it will include positions in the strategic oil/gas-rich Middle East. The Russians are pretty good chess players, while most of us, it seems, suck at simple checkers.
Not communist though, as religious freedom - at least within Christian orthodoxy - has been allowed to flourish.
I’m fair at openings, but usually lose into the middle game.