I tend to agree with most of what you say. I don't think Russia are particularly big on democratic values. I also believe they are becoming villainised as part of a tactic to advance a misguided US agenda. It doesn't take much to get people (western) to dislike Russia and Russian practices because they are never going to appear warm and fuzzy.
External pressure is not going to get Russia to change. I recommend cooperating where possible. I think Russia has made some progress. They have a long way to go as do we. I hope pressure from inside the country can eventually lead to further progress. I foresee culture being quite a barrier.
Another key thing to remember is that Government (western) always need someone to play the enemy (real or fake). Keeping tensions up with Russia provides that enemy with an apparent threat of WW3. The threat of war and fear that it causes gives Government greater power over the people.
How about an actual WW3. Who benefits? Are those that benefit from WW3 able to somehow induce it to happen? If the answer is 'yes' we should be very concerned. The answer at the moment is 'no'. So what are the necessary circumstances that could change that answer to a 'yes'. If these circumstances do not exist, we have nothing to worry about. Then again there is still pure stupidity.