Russian President Vladimir Putin has pressed Armenia to hold a national referendum on whether to join the European Union or remain in the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), during a telephone call with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on July 27.
According to a Kremlin readout, Putin reaffirmed his commitment to a joint statement adopted by the leaders of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in Astana on May 29. It said particular emphasis had been placed on the need for a nationwide vote “as soon as possible”.
Pashinyan’s office set out a different emphasis. It said the Armenian Prime Minister had told Putin that a referendum was “practically possible only after Armenia submits an official application” to the EU and the question acquired substance.
The Kremlin said the call had been made at the request of the Armenian side.
Armenia has not lodged a membership application with Brussels. Its parliament approved a law launching the accession process on March 26, 2025, which took effect the following month, and the Armenian Government has said the text does not constitute a formal bid.
Pashinyan also raised Russian curbs on Armenian exports, telling Putin they contradicted the legal framework governing relations between the two countries as well as EAEU rules. He asked Moscow to take steps to resolve the matter.
Russia’s agricultural watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor has restricted a widening list of Armenian goods since the spring, beginning with Jermuk mineral water and extending to alcohol, cut flowers, fruit and vegetables. From June 12 it barred almost all Armenian plant products and their transit to other EAEU states.
Moscow has cited phytosanitary breaches and the repeated detection of pests. Officials in Yerevan and Brussels have described the measures as politically driven.
The Astana statement warned that Armenian preparations for EU accession carried “serious risks” for the economic security of the bloc. The four governments are due to report in December on the consequences of suspending the EAEU treaty in relation to Armenia.
Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party won 49.8 per cent of the vote and 64 of the 105 seats in the June 7 parliamentary election, days after Russia recalled its ambassador from Yerevan over what it called steps towards rapprochement with the EU.
The EU held its first summit with Armenia in Yerevan on May 5. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen opened the bloc’s market to most Armenian exports on July 2.
