I don't think Dave C is completely wrong.
I was arguing (to a load of deaf posts in Brussels) back in the 90's about how crucial it was that we entice Russia to join NATO, given that the North and Atlantic nature of the alliance had a rival/power node to deal with in the long term in a place called China, and also in the region that Russia referred to as "the near abroad" and all of us in the Middle East. Russia did ge an office opened in Brussels as part of the Partnership for Peace, and some other initiatives. (Not due to my efforts, but due to a few folks seeing that far into the future).
But no, some people would not let go of the Cold War while there were people in Moscow we could work with. There was a glimmer of hope in 95-96 when the US and Russians worked in the same sector in the Northern area of the Bosnia operation ... but whatever gains we made then were dashed by the overarching political mess at the highest levels.