MOSCOW/YEREVAN, April 1, (v7n) — Russian President Vladimir Putin told Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Wednesday that Armenia cannot simultaneously be a member of both the European Union and the Russian‑led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), underscoring growing tensions over Yerevan’s pivot toward the West.

“We see that Armenia is discussing developing relations with the European Union, and we are completely calm about this,” Putin said. “But it should be obvious… Being in a customs union with the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union is impossible. It’s simply impossible by definition.”

Pashinyan acknowledged the incompatibility but said pursuing both paths was possible “for now.” He added: “When the processes develop to the point where a decision needs to be made, I’m confident that we, the citizens of the Republic of Armenia, will make that decision.”

Armenia has steadily distanced itself from Moscow in recent years, particularly after Russia did not intervene when Azerbaijan launched an offensive against ethnic Armenian separatists in September 2023. Yerevan froze its membership in the CSTO security alliance in 2024 and expressed interest in joining the EU the same year.

Though Moscow and Yerevan remain formally allied, ties have become increasingly strained under Pashinyan. Armenia’s foreign intelligence service warned earlier this year of “external actors” meddling in domestic politics, widely interpreted as a reference to Russia.

Analysts say Armenia’s balancing act reflects both geopolitical pressure and domestic aspirations, as the country weighs its historic ties to Moscow against growing integration with Europe.

END/WD/RH/