Putin called on Armenia to hold a referendum on joining the EU

The Russian President said that Yerevan needs to decide on its foreign policy course as soon as possible

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Armenia should hold a referendum on whether to join the European Union or remain a member of the Eurasian Economic Union as soon as possible.

“We would ask that this be done as soon as possible,” Putin told reporters following his visit to Kazakhstan.

A similar call is contained in the joint statement of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan following the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in Astana. The document speaks of the need to hold a national referendum in Armenia “in a short time” on joining the EU or continuing to remain part of the EAEU.

The leaders of the union countries also stated that Yerevan’s preparations for joining the European Union create “significant risks” for the economic security of the EAEU states. The issue of the possible suspension of the treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union in relation to Armenia is planned to be discussed at the next summit of the association in December.

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Moscow warned about the consequences of leaving the EAEU

Putin said that if Armenia leaves the EAEU, Russia will be forced to curtail economic integration mechanisms with the republic.

According to him, Armenian citizens in this case will lose a number of benefits when finding employment in Russia. In particular, they will have to obtain patents for work, and to access the compulsory health insurance system they will need to live in the country for at least five years.

The President also recalled that Armenia receives Russian gas and other energy resources at preferential prices, and called for discussing further relations “sincerely and openly.”

Putin again linked the conflict in Ukraine with European integration

The head of state repeated his position, previously voiced on May 9, according to which the war in Ukraine began after Kiev’s policy of rapprochement with the European Union.

“The crisis in Ukraine began once with attempts to join Ukraine to the EU. We weren’t against it,” Putin said at a press conference in Astana.

According to him, the refusal of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to sign an association agreement with the EU led to a political crisis that ended with a change of power, events in Crimea and subsequent hostilities.

On May 9, after a military parade in Moscow, Putin said that it would be right for Armenia to hold a referendum on the issue of European integration and thereby avoid such conflicts. Then he said that if Yerevan chooses in favor of the EU, countries will be able to follow “the path of a soft, intelligent and mutually beneficial divorce.”

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Pressure on Yerevan intensifies

Putin's statements came against the backdrop of a continuing deterioration in relations between Moscow and Yerevan. In the spring of 2025, the Armenian parliament approved a law to begin the process of the country's accession to the European Union.

In recent weeks, Russian authorities have restricted the supply of a number of Armenian goods, including vegetables, flowers, alcohol and mineral water. Moscow also warned Yerevan about a possible revision of agreements on the supply of gas, oil products and diamonds if the course towards European integration continues.

Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan previously stated that the republic does not yet plan to put the question of leaving the EAEU to a referendum and intends to maintain relations with Russia. At the same time, he emphasized that simultaneous membership in the EU and the EAEU is impossible and in the future the country will have to make a final choice.

Previously, “Layout” reported that Russia would ban the import of vegetables , herbs and strawberries from Armenia. Rosselkhoznadzor announced temporary restrictions on the supply of Armenian fruits and vegetables. We also wrote about how Russia is losing Transcaucasia .

Photo: Participants of the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, Astana, May 29, 2026. Kremlin

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