I see little conflict between US and Russian interests.  The US has demonstrated more military actions that others would interpret as expansionism than Russia. Dig deep and lucidly identify the fundamental conflicts between the US and Russia.  I don't care what Trump's personal dealings with Russia are.  Couldn't care less.  I do care about US policy and am very comfortable with policies that promote friendship with the second most powerful nation in the world (militarily).  Fake conflict?  It was NATO that expanded to include soviet countries.  Countries that were never conceived to be members when NATO was formed.  Fact is that NATO, a WWII entity to prevent Soviet invasion, is obsolete.  The likelihood that Russia would fight against the original NATO members is essentially zero.  One might cynically view NATO expansion (note the word expansion) as an effort of the military special interests to create new reason to exist, to create new conflict for self justification.