Russia is not less liberal and democratic then Israel or let alone Saudi Arabia. Who are good allies of the USA. I dont think Russia wants to conquer the world. The cold war is over. Yet still many americans see Russia as enemy, and especially the elites and the ones who make american politics. I dont know about the average joe or population.
Perhaps if they returned to a democratic constitutional government and stopped annexing neighbors, Americans would trust them more?
Oh please, the USA did worse in Iraq, and Israel did worse in Palestine than Russia in Crimea.
Israel has been annexing Palestine since 1948.
We don't give them sanctions, no, no we give them support, arms, and funding.
Unlike Crimea which is majority Russian, Palestine is majority Palestinian.