I wonder whatever made folks think Russia was our friend. She gave Saddam tactical intel about our movements during Desert Storm and again in the last incursion. She removed Saddams WMDs or at least any traceable to Russia, just before we went into Iraq. In my opinion.
The biggest threat Russia has is a resource hungry China with thousands of miles of border with Far Eastern Russia. If Russia can keep the Chinese looking at Taiwan, Japan and other irritants to the East and across the water, all the better for Russia.
Russia's transition from a tightly controlled, I use the term jokingly, ECONOMY, has been a rough ride. Many of the old timers, die hard communists, don't like the hassle of having to make every day decisions. Life was easier and less stressful when the government made all your decisions for you. And a lot of Russians blame America for all their problems.
Russia, the State is not our friend.