Interesting. I’ve found Russians much more nationalistic than xenophobic, but I admit my experience is with Russian expats. (My wife speaks enough to follow the real conversations, though she isn’t fluent.)
Those we met overseas were more the “hate America; not Americans” response once common to most Europeans. Of course, given the Leftist vitriol, such civilized discourse is anachronistic. These days, I’m more inclined to visit Eastern Europe over the despicable cowardly West. Once I’m retired, Russia’s on my bucket list.
I’d like to go to Russia. The reason the find Americans suspect is because they never get to SEE Americans, there’s no tourism to speak of, visas aren’t easy to get, they just don’t know us. Also, people think Russians are dour, because they don’t smile as much as Americans, and think it’s disingenuous to do so, like you’re trying to sell them something or come on to them. You have to be serious when talking to Russkie. And by the way, something I learned, Russkie isn’t a slur, it really is the Russian word for Russian.