Russia not to support Yerevan within EAEU if it continues its path toward EU - RF vice-premier

ArmInfo. Russia will not provide support to Yerevan within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), nor under bilateral agreements, if the country decides to continue its rapprochement with the European Union. Further decisions will depend, among other things, on the outcome of the elections in Armenia, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk told Interfax.

"We need to see who wins (in the Armenian parliamentary elections - IF), and then take action, decide.  Because if pro-European forces win, it means Armenia is moving toward the European Union. And then it will really be necessary to take appropriate measures," he said.

"We cannot provide financial support to a country that sees its future in the European Union, which is preparing for war with Russia. Why should we provide support to such a country? Are we going to give money to those who might fight us tomorrow?" Overchuk emphasized.

The Russian Deputy Prime Minister recalled that Russia still maintains its obligations to Armenia within the EAEU, but these could be revised if the country decides to move toward the European Union.

"We always stand on the side of the law, on the side of the law. We have obligations within the Eurasian Economic Union. Look: the leaders formulated their statement (at the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in Astana - IF) very carefully. It talks about exploring the possibility of suspending Armenia's membership in the Eurasian Economic Union. We don't want Armenia to leave the Eurasian Economic Union. But we say: if you are leading your people toward the European Union, which is hostile to Russia today, hostile to Belarus, which is preparing to fight us, then why should we support you with waived customs duties, open markets, low energy prices, free labor movement, no patent fees, and health insurance?" the deputy head of government described Russia's position.

On May 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking to journalists, suggested that Armenia decide on its membership in the EU and the EAEU as soon as possible, expressing his readiness to "begin a civilized divorce" if necessary. Yerevan responded by stating that it would leave the EAEU whenever it deemed necessary. On May 29, the heads of four of the five EAEU member states adopted a resolution recommending that Armenia hold a referendum on its continued membership in the EAEU.

On January 9, 2025, the Armenian government approved a draft law on the initiation of the EU accession process, proposed by the "Eurakve" civic initiative. The draft was submitted to the Armenian parliament for approval. On March 26, the parliament adopted it in its final reading and sent it to the president for signature. The document was signed on April 4 of that year. Moscow stated that Russia had conveyed to Armenia that simultaneous membership in the Eurasian Economic Union and the European Union was impossible.