“Nikol Pashinian explained the situation related to Yerevan's recent steps in the context of relations with the European Union. The Russian leader gave corresponding comments and assessments,” the Kremlin said in a statement on the call. It did not disclose Putin’s comments.
The statement also said they discussed “further deepening of integration cooperation” between Russia and Armenia. “Significant practical benefits from joint work within the Eurasian Economic Union, including for the Armenian economy,” were noted in that context, added the statement.
The Armenian government’s press office said, for its part, that the two leaders discussed “upcoming actions within the framework of the EEU” as well as bilateral Russian-Armenian relations. It said nothing about the Armenian government’s January 9 decision to approve a bill on the “start of a process of Armenia's accession to the European Union.”
Just hours after that decision, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexei Overchuk warned that the EU membership bid is “incompatible” with Armenia’s continued membership in the EEU which gives the South Caucasus country tariff-free access to Russia’s vast market.
Russian-Armenian trade has skyrocketed in the last three years, solidifying Russia’s status as Armenia’s number one trading partner and principal export market. Overchuk said that a withdrawal from the EEU would not only cause a sharp decline in Armenian exports but also push up the cost of Russian natural gas and food imported by Armenia.
Armenian Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan said on Monday that Yerevan has no plans yet to leave the Russian-led trade bloc. However, Overchuk reiterated afterwards that the bill approved by Pashinian’s cabinet is viewed by Moscow as the “beginning of Armenia’s withdrawal from the EEU.”
The bill has not been formally included on the Armenian parliament agenda so far. It is still not clear when the National Assembly will start discussing it.
Pashinian and his entourage have been toying with the idea of an EU membership bid as part of their efforts to reorient Armenia towards the West amid increased tensions with Russia.
According to Armenian government data, Russia accounted for over 41 percent of Armenia’s foreign trade in January-November 2024, compared with the EU’s 7.5 percent share in the total.