Vladimir Putin eyes invasion of Armenia in new Victory Day speech

Antonian Lara News
The Express
May 11 26

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has warned Armenia that Moscow would reconsider bilateral relations if Yerevan pursues EU membership

By Yelena Mandenberg
Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a strong warning to Armenia, suggesting it should conduct a referendum on its future relationship with the European Union and Russia.
In remarks to state media, Putin said he has held numerous conversations with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan about Armenia’s possible EU membership application.
He compared Armenia’s current position with events that led to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. “We are now experiencing everything that is happening in the Ukrainian direction. But where did it all begin? With Ukraine’s accession or attempts to join the EU,” Putin said.
He claimed Moscow would back “anything that benefits the Armenian people,” with whom Russia has maintained “special relations for centuries.” However, the leader noted that it was essential to “keep in mind certain circumstances that are important both for us and for our partners.”
Putin did not elaborate on these circumstances, though analysts took his speech as a threat of Russia seeking to take hold of the former Soviet state, a similar position Moscow held prior to the outbreak of war in 2022.

The Russian leader proposed that Armenia hold a referendum to decide whether to pursue EU membership or remain in the Eurasian Economic Union. According to Putin, Yerevan, Armenia’s capital, must “make up its mind as soon as possible” about participating in either the EU or the Eurasian Economic Union.

Should this occur, the leader suggested, there could be a route toward an “intelligent and mutually beneficial divorce.”

Armenia, which last year signed a U.S.-brokered deal ending decades of conflict with Azerbaijan, has been working to strengthen relationships with the U.S. and the EU. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has expressed his country’s ambition to join the EU and has halted Armenia’s involvement in the Moscow-led Collective Security Treaty Organization.

On May 4, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported having a constructive discussion with Pashinyan during the European Political Community summit held in Yerevan, Armenia.

During a May 7 briefing, Pashinyan clarified that his nation does not stand with Russia regarding the conflict in Ukraine.

“As for the visit of the president of Ukraine, I have already made a statement on this topic. We have provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine, and I have already said that we are not Russia’s ally on the issue of Ukraine,” he said.

The Armenian prime minister additionally explained he would skip Moscow’s May 9 parade due to his focus on campaigning before upcoming elections. In 2025, Armenia’s parliament passed legislation initiating the nation’s European Union accession process. Moscow responded with warnings that Armenia would ultimately need to choose between EU membership and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

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Direct link to this article: https://www.armenianclub.com/2026/05/11/vladimir-putin-eyes-invasion-of-armenia-in-new-victory-day-speech/

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