There was a real possibility that Russia could have joined Europe, but something got broken along the way.
I'm not sure that USA is really a strong ally of Europe. It's something in-between. US has its own interests before all.
They would lend us (Europe) money and sell us weapons in case we go to war, but a friend giving you a loan and making profit out of you isn't really that great friend.
The USA is not perfect, but there isn't anyone else out there.
Beggars can't be choosers. Especially after European NATO members underinvested in defence for decades and refused to see Russia as a threat that it is.
Not that long ago France even attempted to sell them aircraft carriers.
Not very great choices. Also only Russia and China would be safe for people like Snowden or Assange.
There's no democratic and prosperous country that isn't aligned with the USA somehow.
Russia had the chance to become a country like that in the 90s, but they chose to have another tsar instead.