EU or Eurasia: Why Putin sparred with Armenia’s PM
Summary
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan that Armenia’s bid to join the European Union (EU) could harm trade relations with Russia and complicate Armenia’s membership in the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). Armenia, while starting the EU membership process, says it has not broken its commitments to Russia or the EEU despite tensions after the recent conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh.Key Facts
- Putin told Pashinyan that Armenia’s EU ambitions threaten Armenia’s trade ties and benefits within the EEU.
- Armenia launched a law in 2023 to start the EU accession process but says it still wants to remain in the EEU.
- The EEU is an economic group led by Russia that includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
- Armenia has been a close ally of Russia since the USSR ended in 1991, relying on Russian trade, military presence, and energy.
- In early 2023, relations worsened after Russia did not support Armenia during Azerbaijan’s military offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh.
- Russia views post-Soviet countries like Armenia as a buffer zone between itself and the EU.
- Bilateral trade between Russia and Armenia was about $2.5 billion in the first half of 2024.
- Armenia insists its EU path is a choice for its people and not a violation of previous agreements with Russia.
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