EAEU leaders call for referendum in Armenia on joining the EU or  remaining in the EAEU

ArmInfo. The leaders of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan have called for Armenia to hold a nationwide referendum on its future relationship with the  European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), according to a  joint statement published by the Kremlin following a meeting of the  Supreme Eurasian Economic Council.

It is noted that the presidents of the Republic of Belarus, the  Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and the Russian  Federation have made this decision taking into account Armenia's  efforts to join the EU. In particular, as specified in the statement,  this refers to the approval in 2025 by the RA National Assembly and  the signing by the President of Armenia of the law on the launch of  process of accession of the Republic of Armenia to the European  Union, as well as the EU's confirmation of the European aspirations  of the Armenian government, expressed in a joint declaration  following the first Armenia-EU summit.

 "Considering the substantial risks to the economic security of the  member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (hereinafter referred to  as the Union) arising in connection with the preparation of the  Republic of Armenia for accession to the European Union, as well as  the need to prevent associated damage to the member states of the  Union:  Have resolved that the members of the Eurasian  Intergovernmental Council from the Republic of Belarus, the Republic  of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and the Russian Federation will  report at the next meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council  in December 2026 on the potential consequences of suspending the  Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union in respect to the Republic of  Armenia.  We share the position on the need to hold a nationwide  referendum in the Republic of Armenia as soon as possible regarding  accession to the European Union or remaining within the Eurasian  Economic Union."

It is worth noting that on May 29, Armenian Deputy Prime Minister  Mher Grigoryan, speaking during a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian  Economic Council in Astana, stated that Armenia intends to continue  its good faith participation in the work of the Eurasian Economic  Union (EAEU) on the basis of mutual respect, equal partnership, and  consideration of the national interests of all member states of the  Union.

It should be added that, according to the RA Statistics Committee,  foreign trade turnover between Armenia and EAEU countries fell by  36.9% in 2025, totaling just over $8 billion. Exports dropped 5% to  $3.2 billion, while imports declined sharply by 48.5% to $4.8  billion.  Trade with Russia, Armenia's largest EAEU partner, fell  38.3% to $7.6 billion. In contrast, trade with Belarus rose 22.9% to  $251.4 million, and trade with Kazakhstan increased 6.3% to $115.9  million.  Meanwhile, mutual trade with Kyrgyzstan declined 23.2% to  $11.3 million. Overall, EAEU countries accounted for 37.5% of  Armenia's foreign trade.  In the first quarter of 2026, trade  turnover with EAEU countries fell 15.6% to $1.4 billion. Exports  decreased 6.5% to $685.9 million, while imports declined 22.6% to  $722.7 million.