Passing from French to Russian is not easy. I think it's as hard as for English people, because the alphabet isn't the same thing at all.
I'm trying to learn Russian (I'm a French speaker, and I speak fluently English), but it was really hard. I only know 2-3 sentences and understand the alphabet, but, as I said, some grammar rules are the same as the French language and some are like English (just like possessive pronouns).
But, honnestly, I don't understant why Russian people would hate England and America and would prefer France..