Pashinyan and Putin discuss Russian trade restrictions and  EU  membership referendum in phone call

ArmInfo. During a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan emphasized that restrictions on the export of Armenian origin goods to the Russian market contradict the legal  and contractual framework governing Armenian-Russian relations, as  well as the provisions of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), as  reported by the press service of the Armenian Cabinet of Ministers.

Pashinyan called for measures to resolve these issues. This was  stated in the context of an exchange of views on the agenda of  Armenian-Russian relations, specifically, on issues  in bilateral  economic relations.  Regarding the referendum on Armenia's accession  to the European Union—referenced in a joint statement adopted on May  29 this year by the leaders of four EAEU member states—Pashinyan  stressed that holding a referendum is practically feasible only after  Armenia formally submits an application for EU membership and makes  the issue a concrete agenda item.

At the same time, Pashinyan reaffirmed the Armenian government's  readiness to resolve the aforementioned issues through an open,  partnership-based, and friendly dialogue.

Meanwhile, according to the Kremlin's press service, the phone call  was initiated by the Armenian side.  "Vladimir Putin reaffirmed his  commitment to the Joint Statement adopted by the leaders of Belarus,  Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia  at the EAEU Summit in Astana on  May 29, 2026, regarding the Republic of Armenia's efforts aimed at  joining the European Union. In particular, the necessity of holding a  nationwide referendum in Armenia in the shortest possible time on  joining the EU or remaining within the EAEU was emphasized," the  Kremlin stated.