The stated strategic aim is clear to everybody apart from around 90% of Americans who appear to be thought blind and deaf to the obvious .
Trump needs an ally to balance against China and Asia .
Putin needs an ally to hold back China in the East , in particular , and to have support for a continued ME presence . Note how Russia and Israel have so far remained the best of friends .
In trade terms , both the US and the Federation could benefit by cash trillions . Russia is third world outside of the big cities yet has an abundance of natural resources . And a huge potential labour force from ex Soviet countries .
Putin is no more or less a villain than any other modern world leader and if he is seen as cunning and ruthless , then he and the Trump are a good match . Of course he has been pissed off with NATO ( the US ) in the past . Who would not be paranoid if you were encircled by 'the enemy' ?