Lavrov: Armenia being tested by choosing between EAEU and EU

ArmInfo. Armenia is being tested by choosing between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the European Union (EU), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated in an interview with Izvestia.

"And now Armenia is also being tested by this EU 'either/or' cliche.  President Putin spoke about this in great detail at a press  conference on May 9. Armenia must decide for itself whether it wants  to remain in the Eurasian Economic Union or join the European Union.  We will respect any choice the Armenian people make. Let this choice  be made," the Russian minister said. "When Armenian leaders, like  Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan, say we'll only call a  referendum when the issue becomes pressing, what does that mean? Mr.  Pashinyan, yesterday or the day before, when he was campaigning, when  he launched the peace dove, said, 'I can't force Armenia to go one  way or the other. I'm obligated to provide an alternative, and my  people will decide. I'm demonstrating an alternative.' Well, if  that's the case, then perhaps we need to demonstrate this alternative  and call a referendum," Lavrov added.

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 its readiness to "begin a  civilized divorce" if necessary. Yerevan responded by noting that it  would leave the EAEU whenever it deemed it necessary. On May 29, the  heads of four of the five EAEU countries adopted a resolution  recommending that Armenia hold a referendum on its continued  membership in the EAEU. That same day, the Russian president stated  that Armenia could not afford to sit on two sides and needed to make  a choice as soon as possible.

On January 9, 2025, the Armenian government approved a draft law on  the start of the process of joining the European Union, proposed by  the "Eurakve" civic initiative. The draft was sent 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.