The issue: Why does Trump seem so determined to make an alliance with the Russians?
What we know: Trump has expressed his enthusiasm for Putin, and for better relations with Russia, on many occasions, even though very few people, even in his own government, agree with him.
What we don’t know: We don’t know very much about the extent of Trump’s business ties to Russia, given his unwillingness to disclose his tax returns.
My take on the issue: You can speculate that Trump’s affection for Russia has a financial basis, but there is no evidence for that. I think it comes from two sources: a correct understanding that Putin effectively runs Russia as the CEO of Russia, Inc., which is what he aspires to do with the US; and a notion, fed by Bannon and Flynn, that Russia is a more appropriate ally against terrorism than squishy Europeans who are more concerned about protecting human rights than kicking bad guy butt.