We should not be allying with any oppressive and dictatorial states, the US is just rapidly sliding into becoming one, and nobody wants to acknowledge it because of the consequences it would imply. If you ask me, us Europeans need to find our self-confidence, we are more than able to compete, but too scared to take the risks and responsibilities to do so.
Don't get me wrong, I would love that! I would love for Europe to step up as world super power (union), a kin to the Non-Aligned Movement - but unfortunately I don't see it happening.
It starts from the bottom up, we need to make it a priority, it is part of the defeatist attitude we have, total lack of self-confidence. We need a 'Yes we can' movement.
The EU should have the place of Russia on that. Russia's population and GDP are tiny.
What? Looking back at human history, real large-scale "lasting peace" only exist during the times one super power dominates before their inevitable falls.