AHC: Wilhelm and Nicholas, a partnership?

What POD could have brought Kaiser Wilhelm II and Tsar Nicholas II closer together as friends and allies? Bonus points for including a souring of German and Austro-Hungarian relations.
 
Avoid the tariffs on Russian grain which were imposed to appease the Prussian junkers. The League of the Three Emperors will probably continue, notwithstanding the bickering between Austria and Russia re. the Balkans.
If worse comes to worse, rein in Austrians aspirations or ditch them from the Alliance. No Franco-Russian alliance will eventuate and the danger of a two-fronts war is avoided. The added bonus is that the development of Russia will be financed by Germany, in accordance with German strategies and objectives.

It would take a Bismarck in his prime to manage, or at least a different Wilhelm II.
 
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