Armenia does not consult with the EAEU on joining the European Union – Russian Foreign Ministry
Armenia is not consulting with its allies in the EAEU on the issue of preparing to join the European Union, Mikael Agasandyan, director of the First CIS Countries Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, said in an interview with RIA Novosti.
On August 24, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated in parliament that Yerevan would soon begin preparing an application to join the EU.
"We see significant risks in connection with Armenia's legislatively enshrined preparation for accession to the European Union, which, incidentally, is being carried out by the Armenian authorities without any consultations with its allies in the EAEU," Agasandyan said.
In March 2025, the parliament of Armenia, which is a member of the EAEU, passed a law on launching the process of the country's accession to the European Union. In April of the same year, it was approved by the republic's president, Vahagn Khachaturyan.
On May 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a press conference that Yerevan should decide as soon as possible on the issue of participation in the EU or the EAEU, allowing for the possibility of an "intelligent divorce." According to him, a referendum could be held on this issue.
In turn, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told reporters on May 11 that Armenia remains a full-fledged member of the EAEU, and that holding a referendum is possible only if an "objective necessity" arises.
After that, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk said that some work is underway in Armenia on the transition to EU standards, and if the country starts amending technical regulations, then "this will already create certain threats to the EAEU."
At the EAEU summit held in Astana on May 29, 2026, the leaders of the member states of this association issued a joint statement, which, in particular, spoke of the need to hold a referendum in Armenia as soon as possible on joining the EU or remaining in the EAEU. Following the EAEU summit in Astana, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Armenia could lose 14% of its GDP if it withdraws from the EAEU.
