At the end of the day, Russia is and remains a totally distinct civilization from The West. No amount of mutual goodwill can undo this basic reality. Unless The West is in a position to truly *negotiate* with Russia, they’ve got no incentive to act in our best interests.
This is coming from a White American Russian Orthodox Christian. I’d *love* for things to be otherwise. Alas, certain pieces now in place will not move for decades, at best.