We only know that the old USSR (Russia) was and still is the world's boogeyman thanks to the tireless efforts of the CIA to keep America in conflict as the global hegemony just in our lifetime since the cold war.
Elected leaders might have dialog, receive assurances and agree in principle over certain matters but the dark forces always have the final say so.
I can't look into the man's soul as Dubya said of Putin simply by watching a series of interviews. He practices judo, suited-up on the ice for a hockey game and at Stone's behest viewed Dr. Strangelove.
All I'm saying is it was a candid look at someone we know little of and it was well done.
Re: timeframe
Hostilities seldom occur at random,
they evolve over time.