What does the free world think about Putin as a person?

He's done an excellent job at securing his power, in that sense he's a genius. In fact, many people including analysts and lower ranking leaders in Russia itself aren't sure what's going to happen when Putin no longer runs the country. No one else has the capital to keep the oligarchs, the FSB, the Chechens, and other entities united like Putin does. Some even fear harm to Russia after he's gone due to internal political strife. Through incentive, threat, and sometimes force and assassination, he's crystalized his position. He's a very militant man though, and that might be costing him in some regards. His move to cease Crimea worked, and it had sound strategic motive, but the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and unnecessary intervention in Syria (unnecessary because Russia has little to gain from it) are costing him, both due to the sanctions, and the resources spent in them. The Russian economy has seen better days. And while Putin is weathering the sanctions, the lost economic output is weighing on Russia. That might be about to turn around though, as it seems quite possible Putin and Trump have special inroads with each other.

It's difficult to say whether this is a good thing or not though. Despite the fall of the USSR, the US and Russia still have some key differences in agenda, much of it revolving around energy in one way or another, and complicated by the nuclear capability of both nations. Powerful nations manipulate smaller nations for their own benefit, and both the US and Russia seek to do that. Both also keep telling the other to stop, because of course they'd have an easier time of it then. There isn't a good and bad in that respect, just nations doing what they do. Stepping back from it means running the risk of losing out in the future. If cozying up to Russia leads to some kind of golden age, great. If it leads to the resurrection of an eastern superpower bloc...maybe not so great...not for the West anyway. Most people do see that as Putin's long term goal, which makes him a natural danger to the West. Hence the sanctions and so on. Nip it in the bud.

TL;DR: He's effective, but ruthless and dangerous.

I'm liking him more then obummer

Just another dangerous dictator. How could he turn back humanitarian aide to his people?

He's no angel and he always was.

Despite all the negative publicity and mimicking,he is very intelligent,well trained as a soldier,well respected as a leader and very,very rich..

Evil incarnate

Can't speak for the entire free world, but a strong man who's walked all over the West while pursuing his agenda, which is a resurgent Russia.

I personally do not think well of him.

he is like an evil mastermind

He's a strong leader.

I think he is generally a strong leader and a smart man. I know that he is ambitious and has the potential to be dangerous.

Seems like a decent person, but also one who could make a definitive decision that could affect us all. I think he's got way to much plutonium for anyone to feel truly safe.

Strong leader. Likes animals. Ruthless. Like the better US presidents.

He is as controversial as Trump: autocratic, power hungry, filthy rich, intelligent, despotic.

Shrewd manipulative ruthless guy who understands power and will do anything to have it.

He's pretty much politically a genius... He's the best speaker of any politician out there that I've seen..

I'm sure he's very congenial in person, but I wouldn't get in an elevator with him.

He's a bad ass muthafuckin muthafucka.

as a person he seems pretty funny

He's a savage