Putin and Pashinyan Meet Amid Tensions Over EU Ambitions and Security Ties

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek. This marked their first in person meeting since April. During the talks, Putin addressed Armenia's desire to join the European Union, calling it a legitimate right but noting that it creates complications due to Armenia's membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Putin urged Pashinyan to resolve the issue soon so that Moscow can understand how to build the relationship going forward, and he renewed a proposal for Armenia to hold a referendum on the matter.

Pashinyan stated that he will not hold a referendum. He argued that Armenia does not see its pursuit of EU membership as a violation of agreements with Russia and the EAEU. While Pashinyan expressed interest in developing relations with Moscow, he has previously stated that Armenia will work within the EAEU only until a choice between the EU and EAEU becomes unavoidable. He also recently indicated that Armenia no longer considers Russia a strategic partner and expressed that he would be glad if Armenia were expelled from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

Economic tensions have accompanied these diplomatic frictions. One report notes that Russian authorities recently restricted imports of Armenian goods, including produce and alcohol, citing sanitary requirements. During this period, Armenian exports to the EU grew by 80 percent over six months. Putin countered this by highlighting that Armenia's GDP grew threefold and exports to EAEU countries grew tenfold during its membership in the union.