Pashinyan tells Putin EU referendum comes only after membership bid

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan informed Russian President Vladimir Putin during a phone call on Monday that a referendum on Armenia's potential membership in the European Union can only occur following a formal application to join the bloc. According to a statement released by Pashinyan's office, the prime minister stressed that holding such a referendum is "practically possible only after Armenia submits an official application to the European Union for EU membership and makes the topic substantive." The discussion took place amid ongoing tensions over Armenia's foreign policy direction. Pashinyan's comments were framed within the context of a joint statement issued after a meeting of leaders of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) held in Astana, Kazakhstan, on May 29. In that statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin, along with leaders of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, called for a nationwide referendum in Armenia regarding EU accession or continued membership in the EAEU "as soon as possible." The EAEU, established by a treaty signed in May 2014 and effective since January 2015, comprises five member states, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia, and includes four observer states: Cuba, Iran, Moldova, and Uzbekistan. Despite being a member of the EAEU since 2015, Armenia has been strengthening its ties with the European Union, expressing a clear intent to deepen integration with Western institutions. Russian officials have expressed concerns that this shift could undermine Armenia's position within the EAEU and result in the loss of certain economic benefits. During their conversation, Pashinyan highlighted specific challenges in bilateral economic relations, noting that restrictions on the export of Armenian goods to the Russian market violate both the Armenia-Russia legal framework and the rules of the Eurasian Economic Union. He requested that these issues be addressed. Pashinyan reiterated his government's willingness to engage in open, cooperative, and amicable dialogue to resolve these matters. His emphasis on collaboration reflects a broader effort to maintain stability in the relationship while pursuing strategic goals aligned with Western interests. Separately, the Kremlin issued a statement affirming Putin's support for the EAEU joint declaration made in May. It noted that the statement underscored the necessity for Armenia to conduct a national referendum on its future alignment with either the EU or the EAEU. This stance highlights the growing pressure on Armenia to choose between two major geopolitical alliances. The situation underscores the complex interplay between Armenia's aspirations for closer ties with the West and its historical and economic dependencies on Russia. As the country navigates these competing priorities, the outcome of the upcoming referendum will likely serve as a pivotal moment in its political trajectory.