Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin said that “it would be right” to hold a referendum in Armenia on joining the European Union and relations with Russia, in particular within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), and added that in Ukraine “everything started” with Kyiv's desire to join the EU. Yerevan said that Armenia is a member of the EEU and will make a decision on European integration at the appropriate time.
Putin made his statement while answering journalists' questions on May 9.
According to the Russian leader, he has repeatedly discussed this issue with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
“Regarding Armenia's plans to join the European Union, this, of course, requires special consideration… We will support everything that is beneficial to the Armenian people. And if this or that decision is beneficial to the Armenian people, please, we will not be against it. But, of course, we must take into account some circumstances that are important both for us and for our partners,” he said.
According to Putin, economic relations with the Russian Federation are very beneficial for Armenia, and, in addition, the country has great privileges from participation in the EAEU.
“It would be right, both for the population, for the citizens of Armenia, and for us as the main economic partner, to decide as early as possible, for example, to hold a referendum… and ask the citizens of Armenia what their choice would be. Accordingly, we would draw the appropriate conclusions and follow the path of a soft, intelligent and mutually beneficial divorce,” the Kremlin leader said.
At the same time, he noted that in Ukraine “it all started” with an attempt to join the EU.
“We are currently experiencing everything that is happening in the Ukrainian direction. And where did it start? With Ukraine's accession or attempt to join the EU,” Putin said.
He stated that Yanukovych refused to join the EU because it would cause significant damage to the Ukrainian economy.
“All this later led to the coup d'état, to the Crimean history, to the position of southeastern Ukraine and hostilities. This is a serious issue. Therefore, we do not need to take it to extremes, we need to say in time that we will do this and that. We need to calculate everything. Both the Armenian side needs to calculate, and we need to calculate. I am answering now and I think: it would be quite possible to raise this issue at the next EurAsEC summit,” Putin said.
How did Armenia react?
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who is currently in the Vayots Dzor region as part of the election campaign, did not respond to NEWS.am's question about how he reacts to Putin's statement that Armenia must decide whether to remain in the EAEU or seek a “civilized divorce” and move towards the EU.
“We're running late, there's no time,” he said.
The publication also notes that the Prime Minister's office neither confirmed nor denied information about whether Pashinyan will participate in the next EAEU summit, which will be held in Astana on May 28-29. The Prime Minister has been on leave since May 8 to participate in the election campaign. He announced that the leave will be interrupted only on May 28. On May 28, Armenia celebrates a public holiday – the Day of the First Republic (Restoration of Sovereignty Day). This is an official non-working day dedicated to the proclamation of independence of the First Armenian Republic on May 28, 1918. , as he has certain obligations on the holiday. From this statement by Pashinyan, it can be assumed that he will not go to Astana, but will be in Armenia on May 28. It is not yet known whether Pashinyan will be able to participate remotely in the next EAEU summit.
Meanwhile, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan stated that the country is a member of the EAEU and will make a decision on European integration at the appropriate time.
“When the time comes for Armenia to make a choice between the EAEU and the EU, we will, of course, do so. At the moment, we are a member of the EAEU, we continue our activities there. It is also no secret that the people of Armenia also have, so to speak, European ambitions. When the time comes to decide, we will decide,” he said.
On January 9, 2025, the Armenian government approved a draft law on the beginning of the country's accession to the European Union. At the time, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that the adoption of the document did not mean membership in the European Union and explained that it was necessary to first discuss a roadmap with the EU and hold a referendum, as required by the Armenian Constitution.
On February 12, the Armenian Parliament adopted the draft law “On the Beginning of the Process of Accession of the Republic of Armenia to the European Union.”
On April 4, Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturian signed a law on the beginning of the country's accession to the European Union.