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"Ed Koch is in urgent need of medical attention. Judging from the above statement, possible Alzheimer. A mix of Byzantium and Sinic [via Mongols] civilizations has its roots anywhere else but in the West."
Russia is a Slavic country like Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Ukraine. What's more culturally it's very close to them. You can't say that Poland or Slovakia deserve to be considered European/ western countries and denied Russia's close links with western culture. Byzantium by the way is also part of Christian /European /western [as opposed to Asian]civilization. Byzantium through Orthodox church shaped Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia. Those influences are part of European heritage, If you deny it you cast Greece and Bulgaria as non-european area.
Sinic influences are present in Russia to the same degree as in England and France. Even Islamic influences are stronger. Heart of Russia state has always been in Europe [Europe ends at Ural mountains]. Asian part of Russia has always been simply a colony. But believe me it influenced Russia to smaller degree than India influenced England. At one point Mongols forced Russia to pay tribute, but Mongols also conquered big chunk of Europe in XIV century [it may be XIII it can be checked easily] and stay there for a few years.
If you limit western culture to Anglo-Saxon,then you are right Russia doesn't belong there. However if you definite western culture in opposition to Islamic or Sinic or Indian or African set of values, you can't denied that this definition covers Russia as well.
However the idea of treating Russia as a prospective ally of US is ludicrous. Now Russia is trying to rebuild its influences in the world using its natural resources as a tool. It's strongly felt in eastern Europe. Here Russia sees itself as US competitor. I believe that Russian politician perceive US as the biggest danger to their interests. They would rather forge close relationship with eastern rising powers.