> From an EU perspective why would peace and trade with Russia be so bad?
Because Russia every once in a while invades a part of Europe to carve off territory for itself, then holds the rest of the continent hostage by withholding gas during the freezing winter.
Why would you want peace with a country that is just biding its time before it starts it's next war?
I didn't say the EU, which has a collective defense treaty similar to that of NATO. I said Europe. And to answer that question:
2014, Ukraine
2008, Georgia
1992, Moldova and Romania
And of course the Soviet Union invading, occupying and brutally oppressing half of Europe after WW2 (including several countries now in the EU and NATO). Or have you forgotten? They haven't.
Because Russia every once in a while invades a part of Europe to carve off territory for itself, then holds the rest of the continent hostage by withholding gas during the freezing winter.
Why would you want peace with a country that is just biding its time before it starts it's next war?