IRIA News

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Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has rejected Russia’s demand that Armenia should hold a referendum on joining the European Union, highlighting growing tensions between the two traditional allies as Yerevan continues to strengthen ties with the West.

The dispute emerged following a summit of the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) in Kazakhstan, where Russian President Vladimir Putin and other member states urged Armenia to clarify its long-term geopolitical direction.

Moscow insists that Armenia cannot simultaneously pursue membership in both the European Union and the EAEU, a regional economic bloc dominated by Russia.

Speaking in a video message on June 1, 2026, Pashinyan rejected the idea of holding a referendum at this stage, arguing that such a vote would be premature and unnecessary until Armenia formally applies for EU membership or moves significantly closer to obtaining candidate status.

“Putting a theoretical choice to a referendum is, of course, neither very sensible nor justified,” Pashinyan said, adding that Armenia would continue participating in the EAEU until a choice between the two blocs becomes unavoidable.

Russia Steps Up Pressure

Pashinyan’s comments came as Moscow intensified pressure on Armenia ahead of the country’s parliamentary elections scheduled for June 7.

Over the weekend, Russia recalled its ambassador to Armenia for consultations, a move widely viewed as a signal of growing dissatisfaction with Yerevan’s foreign policy direction. On Monday, Russia’s agricultural watchdog announced a ban on fish and seafood imports from Armenia, citing health concerns.

The measure affects an important Armenian export sector, with roughly 30 percent of the country’s fish products traditionally sold in the Russian market.

The latest restrictions follow previous Russian bans on Armenian agricultural products, flowers, mineral water, and alcoholic beverages.

European officials accused Moscow of using economic pressure to influence Armenia’s political environment ahead of the elections. The European Union stated that Russia appeared to be attempting to damage Armenia’s economy and shape the outcome of the upcoming vote.

The escalating pressure has reinforced concerns in Yerevan that Moscow is increasingly willing to use economic leverage against former Soviet republics seeking closer ties with Western institutions.

Putin Warns Against EU Ambitions

At the EAEU summit in Kazakhstan on May 29, Putin made clear that Armenia would eventually have to choose between deeper integration with Europe and membership in the Russian-led bloc.

The Russian president also issued a warning that many observers interpreted as a reference to the conflict in Ukraine. Putin noted that what he described as the “Ukrainian scenario” had begun with Kyiv’s aspirations for closer ties with the European Union.

The remarks reflected Moscow’s growing concern about losing influence in the South Caucasus, a region traditionally considered part of Russia’s strategic sphere of influence.

Although both the Kremlin and the Armenian government said that Putin and Pashinyan spoke by phone on Monday to discuss the summit’s outcomes and exchange birthday wishes, the broader atmosphere surrounding the conversation underscored the increasingly strained state of bilateral relations.

Armenia’s Shift Toward the West

For decades, Armenia was one of Russia’s closest allies among former Soviet republics. However, relations have deteriorated significantly in recent years.

A major turning point came in 2023 when neighboring Azerbaijan regained control over Nagorno-Karabakh following a military offensive. Many Armenians were disappointed by what they viewed as Russia’s failure to intervene despite longstanding security commitments and the presence of Russian peacekeepers in the region.

The fallout from that conflict accelerated Armenia’s efforts to diversify its foreign partnerships and reduce dependence on Moscow.

Since then, Yerevan has steadily expanded its engagement with European countries and Western institutions. Armenia hosted its first major EU summit last month and welcomed several European leaders as part of broader efforts to deepen political and economic cooperation with the bloc.

The country has also strengthened relations with the United States and France, moves that have generated growing irritation in Moscow.

New Relationship with Russia

Despite rejecting Moscow’s demands, Pashinyan emphasized that Armenia is not seeking a complete break with Russia. Instead, he described bilateral relations as being in a period of transformation and argued that both countries must adapt to changing regional realities.

“Our relations with Russia are in a transformation phase,” Pashinyan said, expressing confidence that Armenia and Russia could build a new framework for cooperation.

He stressed that communication between the two governments remains open and transparent, adding that there were no hidden disagreements between them.

The Armenian leader has repeatedly promoted what he calls a “balanced and balancing” foreign policy, seeking to maintain working relations with Russia while simultaneously developing stronger partnerships with Europe and other Western countries.

Defining Moment for Armenia

The dispute over a potential EU referendum highlights the difficult choices facing Armenia as it navigates an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.

Membership in the EAEU remains important for Armenia’s economy, particularly because of its extensive trade links with Russia. At the same time, many Armenians view closer ties with Europe as a path toward greater economic opportunities, political reforms, and security cooperation.

With parliamentary elections approaching and pressure from Moscow increasing, Armenia finds itself at a pivotal moment in its foreign policy evolution.

For now, Pashinyan appears determined to avoid making an immediate choice between East and West. However, as relations with Russia continue to deteriorate and cooperation with Europe expands, that decision may become increasingly difficult to postpone.