There is “Russia” and there is “Putin’s Russia.” - I make a distinction.
Don’t get me wrong, even under Putin, there are short term practical areas of cooperation between our governments. I mean we did ally with the Soviets in WWII after all...
But fundamentally: Putin’s Russia is an adversary. Not a military one though. Standing up for Western Christendom does not necessitate nuclear arms!
And I repeat, Putin, his oligarchs, and his State propaganda media complex are enemies of the Russian people first and foremost. Their Deep State puts even ours to shame.
Your distinction has no value. Imagining you know what the Russian people are does not make it true.
In reality, Putin is the face of Russia.
In reality, Russia has always been a land rule by autocrats.
It has never been a republic based on democratic elections.
Expecting it to be such is folly.
He is almost as well known as Pussy Riot