“Why do they like him, anyway?”
Trade, markets, proximity. And the French right has never been overly enamored with America, anyway (see De Gaulle, Chirac).
At this particular time in history, I wouldn’t be particularly enamored with America neither.
I meant socially, but yes, the economic benefits of trade with Russia probably outweigh any rage Europeans have over chimerical “Gay rights” violations the Russians may have committed.