Because Putin is such an egocentric, out of touch strongman, he looks like a mobster and acts like one.
Professional politicians are slick, like that Senator in The Godfather who tried to shake down Michael, until their greed/ego gets them. Nixon, great politician for decades until...... and then he started to look like Putin does now, floundering, way out of touch, alternating between strong and angry, and making stupid decisions.
I forget who had the line: Politicians are like diapers. They should be changed frequently and for the same reasons.
Look at Biden, McConnell, etc..... these professional mobsters who live for nothing but to enrich their fortunes and their power.
It isn't just Russia and Putin. That's my point. Government is NEVER EVER your friend. It's a necessary evil and should be treated as such.