During a press briefing on May 10, Vladimir Putin addressed Armenia’s growing alignment with the EU, urging Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to hold a referendum to choose between the EU and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). While claiming Moscow would support what benefits the Armenian people, Putin warned of “certain circumstances” and invoked the “Ukrainian scenario,” claiming that conflict began with Kyiv’s EU aspirations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signaled a hardening stance toward Armenia’s European integration efforts, suggesting that Yerevan must choose between Moscow-led economic structures and the EU, Russian media outlet TASS and Telegram channel Astra reported.

Speaking to state media, Putin revealed that he has held multiple discussions with Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan regarding Armenia’s potential EU membership bid.

The ‘Intelligent Divorce’ ultimatum

Putin called for Armenia to finalize its geopolitical direction “as soon as possible,” suggesting a national referendum to decide between the EU and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

Putin stated that if Armenia chooses the EU, an “intelligent and mutually beneficial divorce” from the EAEU might be necessary.

The Russian leader explicitly linked Armenia’s current path to the origins of the war in Ukraine, repeating the Kremlin narrative that the conflict began with Ukraine’s attempt to join the EU.

Strained relations and shifting alliances

The comments come at a historic low point for Russo-Armenian relations. On May 7, Pashinyan explicitly stated that Armenia is “not an ally of Russia on the issue of Ukraine” and has continued to send humanitarian aid to Kyiv.

Since February 2024, Armenia has frozen its participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) following Russia’s failure to provide military assistance during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

In 2023, Armenia ratified the Rome Statute, joining the International Criminal Court (ICC) – a body that has issued an active arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin.

While Putin spoke of “special relations over centuries,” his demand for a swift choice underscores the growing divide as Armenia seeks stronger security and economic ties with Western partners, including the recent attendance of President Volodymyr Zelensky at the European Political Community summit in Yerevan.