On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Armenia, which is seeking EU membership, that it cannot be part of both the EU and a Moscow-led economic alliance. Armenia has been pursuing closer ties with the US after signing a US-brokered agreement last year that ended long-standing hostilities with Azerbaijan. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan expressed his intention to join the EU while suspending Armenia’s participation in the Moscow-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation.
During talks in Moscow, Putin acknowledged Armenia’s move toward the EU but stressed that Armenia can’t be part of both the EU customs union and the Eurasian Economic Union, which allows free movement among its members. He indicated that Armenia’s chances of securing EU membership look uncertain, especially given the significant differences in market regulations between the two blocs.
Pashinyan recognised that Armenia cannot belong to both groups simultaneously but believes it can pursue cooperation with the EU while remaining in the Eurasian Economic Union. Tensions between Armenia and Russia have grown after Azerbaijan’s full reclamation of the Karabakh region in 2023, with Armenia accusing Russian peacekeepers of failing to intervene against Azerbaijan.
In addition, Putin mentioned the importance of the US-mediated peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan and expressed hope that pro-Russian factions would be allowed to compete in Armenia’s upcoming parliamentary elections, despite legal restrictions against Russian passport holders participating in the election.
This article used information from The Associated Press.
