there is an interesting collection of State Dept speeches and read-outs relating to Russia, Ukraine (and Europe) for 2016 here: https://2009-2017.state.gov/p/eur/rls/rm/2016/index.htm. Regular and seemingly polite relations between US and Russia under SecState Kerry.

2/ numerous speeches by Victoria Nuland in this archive. Nuland's tone (in quick survey) seems much more belligerent than Kerry's. Nuland also spoke on Ukraine more often than Kerry.

3/ through 2016, Kerry and Lavrov, despite policy differences, appear to have been civil to one another. I didn't notice (in quick look) anti-Russia diatribes from Kerry.

4/ the precise dating of poisoning of relations between US and Russia is interesting and important: it appears to have been done during transition period when Obama admin still in power and preparing poison pills and resistance