[simonblack]

Russian history has proven over and over again they will never likely be an open and forthcoming ally of the “west” for very long.

If you restrict 'The West' to being 'Europe Only' rather than the 'US plus Europe' as has been the case since 1945, you'll find that Russia has been an ally of countries in Europe more often than not.

Like the British, Russia has also tended to act as the Balance of Power over the years, working with France/Britain against Germany in WW1 and WW2, and with Britain and Prussia against the French during the Napoleonic Wars.

Hmm. I had never thought of the 'Balance of Power' bit before regarding the period since 1945, but that seems to be the case since then also, in balancing the current hegemon (the US) as it did before against previous hegemons, Germany and France.