The EU and NATO, of course, are grounded in the European experience of the 20th Century. The EU was an attempt to avoid future wars and to promote prosperity and liberal democratic values, while NATO was designed to provide a shield from the totalitarianism and military might of the Soviet Union. The US was a member of the latter organization and strongly supported the former.
To Trump, this is all ancient history, with no relevance to the contemporary world. In his eyes, Russia presents no threat to Europe, America, or their shared values; the EU nations, on the other hand, take advantage of our military protection while beating us at trade. In addition, their democratic systems and liberal values make them wimpy, ambivalent allies in the war against Islamic extremism. Trump would ask “what have you done for us lately?” and answer “not very much.”
Trump is going to put America for sale to the highest bidder. If Putin has more to offer than the EU in terms of fighting Islamic terrorists and providing a counterweight to America’s adversaries, then so be it.
Let the auction begin.