There's an assumption they ever wanted to be partners in the first place. When Nixon visited China, the hope was they would eventually become a partner, as well. The following decades have clearly demonstrated neither nation has any real desire to do so. Prosperous or decimated, they're not our friends.
However that would have take more of an effort and commitment that modern liberals would have permitted us to apply. Perhaps it was doomed from the start after all.
We have our own domestic enemies to defeat first.
Your skepticism is justified.
However, I think that it's worth noting that, amongst the people, there is still a lot of good will towards the West and Western principles.
At the same time, I must admit that, amongst my Russian acquaintances and colleagues - and even in the case of one Russian friend - the "crisis" in the Ukraine (shorthand for: Russian invasion) has revealed the presence of a fault-line, the continued existence of which has surprised even me.
To whit: Even among many outwardly "normal" Russians, there is still a deep suspicion of and resentment towards the West - probably rooted in old feelings of inferiority and self-loathing and a vestigial belief in the "one strong man" principle of governance.
I'm still hoping for a turn-around - but I am also bracing for further deterioration in conditions, perhaps even a "SHTF" scenario which would invariably slop over into the West.
Regards,