EU peace is assured by inter-locking trade within the block. Countries within the EU are gently encouraged to trade essential goods with one another instead of producing them themselves.

This policy dates back to the end of WW2 as an attempt to prevent one country getting too aggressive and hence starting another war.

Since the fall of the wall, Russia was seen as a legitimate trading partner for the block and, in the long term (just as Türkiye), as member of the block.

Hence sourcing fertiliser from Russia was taken to be a strategic positive since it tired Russia to Europe.