The remarks came at the Brussels Forum, a conference organized by the transatlantic think tank German Marshall Fund. The globalist ideologue, who once was a presidential candidate for the Republican Party, has once again put himself in direct opposition to President Trump by saying that it is essential for the allies to develop more connectivity and cooperation.
"I trust the EU," he said, elaborating that EU and NATO were "the best two sums in history" and have maintained global peace for the last 70 years.
"We need to rely on NATO and have a NATO that adjusts to new challenges."
Earlier in January the new US President Donald Trump complimented the UK on its "smart" decision to withdraw from the EU and dubbed NATO an "obsolete" coalition.
McCain said he supported Trump's calls on Europe to increase defense spending for NATO, but added that Americans should "also appreciate the fact that over 1,000 young [European] people have given their lives in Afghanistan or Iraq."
"I don't know what price tag you put on that," he said. "That's quite a contribution I would say, if you ask their mothers."
McCain also accused Russia of trying to influence approaching elections in France and Germany, and the president of Russia Vladimir Putin in particular in trying to restore the Russian empire, despite providing no evidence for those allegations.
