In 1990s after the fall of Soviet Union and the mess that followed Russian Federation was seen for a while as a “satellite state” of U.S.A. This of course all changed with Putin.
But even during its time as an American satellite Russia was never regarded by U.S. as a true ally* and remained a popular villain/boogieman in western media and military circles.
So with a POD no earlier than the Fall of Soviet Union in 1991, how can you get U.S. and Russia to become real economic, political and military allies with each countries media portraying the other in an overall positive light?
(If the above criteria are not clear enough, let’s say the U.S.-Russia relations should be similar to those between U.S. and U.K. or U.S. and Australia)
Bonus points if you can do this with a POD no earlier than 1994.
* – feel free to correct me if there were people who felt that U.S. and Russia became true allies.