Russia has called back its ambassador to Armenia, Sergey Kopyrkin, for discussions regarding Armenia’s shift towards the European Union (EU), as stated by the Russian Foreign Ministry. This move by Armenia is seen as detrimental to cooperation within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), according to an official release.
Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized that Armenia’s decision between the EU and the EAEU primarily concerns economic aspects. If Armenia opts to exit the EAEU, it would forfeit various preferential advantages, reported Xinhua news agency.
The presidents of Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Kyrgyzstan issued a collective statement urging Armenia to conduct a referendum promptly to determine its stance on EU membership versus EAEU participation. They highlighted the significant risks posed to the economic security of EAEU members by Armenia’s EU aspirations, emphasizing the need for other member states to safeguard against potential economic setbacks.
The leaders underscored the importance of averting any harm to the union’s members and announced that a report on the potential repercussions of Armenia suspending the EAEU treaty would be presented by the representatives in the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in December 2026.
Armenia and the EU recently inked a connectivity partnership agreement in early May, focusing on enhancing economic and security cooperation. This agreement, signed during their inaugural summit in Yerevan, encompasses areas such as transport, energy, and digital infrastructure, aligning with the EU’s Cross-Regional Connectivity Agenda and Armenia’s “Crossroads of Peace” initiative.
The Eurasian Economic Union, formed in 2015, comprises Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia. In April 2025, Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan initiated the EU accession process by signing a bill. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has emphasized that Armenia cannot maintain dual membership in both the EU and the EAEU.
