I don't think Putin's a bogeyman or a global threat. I do think he's a threat to EASTERN Europe, which is what I stated. And in particular he's a threat to former USSR bloc countries.
I agree he's never said he wanted to get the entire USSR back together, but has only lamented the fall of the USSR as "the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century." Folks will read into that whatever they like, but in reality it's all completely irrelevant because Putin lies all the time, not a single word he ever utters can be trusted.
Instead you have to look at his actions. Crimea, Belarus, and as you yourself have admitted, 8 years of attempted destabilization in Ukraine, are all you need to know about his intentions regarding former Soviet holdings. As always, actions speak louder than words.
And that you think I'm somehow influenced by some Deep State agenda is the really odd thing here-- if they were indeed trying to influence me into warmongering on behalf of Ukraine, they've failed. Because I don't support engaging any US troops in any potential war that occurs there.
I do believe that Putin's Russia is a threat to Eastern Europe, and the Eastern Europeans do, too. I'm not sure why you'd care one way or the other about that, since you've made obvious your position as a pretty strict isolationist. And in this instance, I'm right there with you.