There is an external definition of “progressive” though, part of which is all about minorities rights

I don’t like it. It’s wishful thinking that history progresses in the direction you want.

In contrast, I mean that history is progressing towards more people like Putin and more regions like Russia.

Putin himself may be more of an opportunist and simply uses people and even the whole country as a means towards his own ends of personal gratification

Aren’t they all?