Pashinyan Skips Russia-Led Summit After Putin Threatens Armenia With “Ukrainia

Authors

Ivan Khomenko

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will not attend the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) summit in Astana on May 28–29, delegating participation to Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan.

According to Armenian outlet News.am, Pashinyan said he had informed Russian leader Vladimir Putin during his April visit to Russia, as well as Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, about his decision in advance.

The Armenian leader linked his absence to the country’s parliamentary election campaign ahead of the June 7 vote and a military parade scheduled for May 28 in Armenia. The announcement follows renewed tensions between Yerevan and Moscow after Pashinyan also did not attend Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9.

Putin later suggested that Armenia should hold a referendum on leaving the EAEU and pursuing European Union membership, describing it as a potential “soft, intelligent and mutually beneficial divorce.” The Russian leader also referenced Ukraine, stating that Kyiv’s “conflict” with Moscow began after its attempt to move toward the EU.

Speaking to reporters, Pashinyan said Armenia currently has no plans to organize a referendum on EAEU membership. “We respect all our partners in the EAEU, as well as our participation in the Union,” Pashinyan said.

The Armenian prime minister also rejected Putin’s description of interstate relations as a “divorce.”

“We are confusing interstate relations with marriage. Armenia in interstate relations is guided by interstate logic,” Pashinyan said. “We are full members of the EAEU. And while we are members of the EAEU, we fully participate in all decision-making.”

Pashinyan said Armenia would continue implementing legislation aimed at deepening relations with the European Union and pursuing democratic reforms. “We will also move forward within the framework of the law on deepening relations with the EU and membership in the EU, that is, along the path of democratic reforms,” he said.

Earlier, Azerbaijan introduced Turkish-made missile-armed naval drones into the Caspian Sea amid growing security tensions and increasingly strained relations with Russia and Iran. The move was viewed as part of Baku’s broader effort to diversify its defense partnerships and reduce reliance on Moscow.