[DeaconBenjamin2]

I think it's well established that the Tsars saw themselves as geopolitical competitors with Great Britain. I can't imagine where the Tsars would have seen themselves in competition with the US (excepting perhaps China and Korea, where Japan, Great Britain, France, and Germany were also in the competition).

[A. Pole]

I think it's well established that the Tsars saw themselves as geopolitical competitors with Great Britain.

Perhaps in Central Asia. But Russia and Britain were allies against Napoleon and during WWI.