Why, when write about Putin, the western journalists often name his Vlad?

Because they want to make a malevolent connection with Vlad Tepec (Dracula) who, for their information, happens to be a national heroe for Rumanians, and not a cold blooded murderer as the western litterature has immagined him of.

Putin has managed to restore the power and respect of Russia, and gave the west a very good lesson with the incident of Georgia and Saakashvili's patrons.

Dmitry, like you I also wonder why they do it. First, they use the wrong nickname because they don't understand how a Russian name should work. Secondly, it is my practice with any leader, no matter how I personally feel about the person, to honour the person in that position. Therefore my standard way of writing about Vladimir Putin is one of two ways, by addressing him with a title such as Mister or Prime Minister, ory by using his full name.

Some examples:

Mr Putin

Prime Minister Putin

Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (Влади́мир Влади́мирович Пу́тин)

It is my practice not to use a nickname or just the last name of a leader.

Don't forget that Russia help Lincoln to win the civil war

That's why those monies changers was very furious with the Czar

Because they're stupid and don't realise that the reduced form of Vladimir is 'Volodia'.

and they try to make him sound evil...

What do you expect from Western journalists?

you tend to abbreviate long names with just the first syllable in English.

Thomas -> Tom

Timothy -> Tim

Christopher -> Chris

hence

Vladimir -> Vlad

Shouldn't he be called Czar Putin ?