It is the USA and the UK that have been provoking the world in the past few years with their military adventures, not Russia.
I think Putin might feel in talking to Obama that he was talking to a man of some honesty and idealism...a man looking to build bridges rather than burn them...therefore a man to whom he could speak with some hopes of actually being listened to fairly and constructively. This would probably aid in negotiations between Russia and the USA.
I think it will be a massive boost to the USA's good image in the world if Obama is elected. It will be a more moderate boost to the USA's good image if Hillary Clinton is elected...still it would definitely be seen positively.
The election of another Republican at this point will give the world the impression that the USA is virtually beyond hope.
Be that as it may, I fear that once in power the Democrats will continue the present war policy unabated. I hope I am mistaken. If they do, they will again squander the opportunity to build those international bridges of friendship that I was alluding to above.