Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses a Victory Parade in Moscow on May 9

President Vladimir Putin of Russia proposed what he called a “mutually beneficial divorce” with Armenia, given Yerevan’s mixed signals about joining the European Union and remaining in the Eurasian Economic Union, which Moscow has warned would not be an option.

The Kremlin on Monday insisted that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan answer for allowing President Vlodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine to make anti-Russian comments in Yerevan when he attended the European Political Community summit there last week.

Putin made the comments on Armenia’s choice during celebrations over the weekend marking the Soviet Victory over the Nazis. Pashinyan announced that he would not attend the parade and other events in Moscow.
“In my opinion, it would be right for both the citizens of Armenia and us as their main economic partner to make a decision as soon as possible,” Putin told reporters.

“For example, by holding a referendum. It’s not our business, but it would be entirely logical to hold a referendum and ask Armenia’s citizens about their choice. Accordingly, we would draw conclusions and go down the path of a gentle, amicable and mutually beneficial divorce,” the Russian leader proposed.

Putin indicated that he will bring up the matter at the next EEU summit which is scheduled to take place in Kazakhstan on May 28, less than two weeks before Armenia’s parliamentary elections.

Pashinyan objected to the term “divorce” used by Putin when speaking to reporters during a campaign event for his Civil Contract Party.

“Until the moment when there is a need to make a choice, we will not put such an issue on the agenda,” Pashinyan said. “I also disagree with the term divorce. I had the opportunity to say in the National Assembly that we sometimes confuse interstate relations with marriage.”

Announcing that he would not attend the upcoming EEU summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, Pashinyan said he had spoken to Putin about Armenia’s role in the Russia-led economic alliance.

“We are a full member of the EEU, we fully participate in all decision-making. We have no intention of harming Russia’s interests,” Pashinyan added.

Putin again emphasized on Saturday Armenia’s “heavy dependence on Russia” for trade and energy, which he said has deepened during Pashinyan’s eight-year rule.

“Our trade with Armenia decreased last year, and the year before it was much higher, but it was still $7 billion in 2025,” Putin said. “Considering that the country’s GDP is $29 billion, this is a significant figure. Armenia gains significant advantages within the Eurasian Economic Union framework.”

Putin also pointed out that Russia’s conflict with Ukraine broke out after Kyiv’s decision to seek EU membership.

The Kremlin on Monday said that it is extremely important for Moscow that Armenia does act against Russia.

Spealing to Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin, the Kremlin’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov said it is a priority for Moscow to ensure that Yerevan does not hinder ties, when commenting about the EU summit held in Yerevan.

Peskov also added that Moscow does not understand why Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan did not “balance” Zelenskyy’s “anti-Russian” statements in Yerevan.

“We do not understand why anti-Russian statements are being made from the territory of Armenia. We do not understand this. And why the head of the Armenian government did not try to balance this in any way through his statements. So far, we cannot explain this,” Peskov said.

“Judging by the fact that a platform was provided for anti-Russian statements [in Yerevan], and judging by the fact that there were no balancing statements from the Armenian leadership, this opens up an additional field for analysis,” Peskov added.

Armenia has the right to hold any event, including a summit with the EU, but Moscow considers it unacceptable that its ally Yerevan provides a platform for Vladimir Zelenskyy to make anti-Russian statements, the Kremlin press secretary stressed.

Pashinyan told reporters on Monday that it was not his place to counter Zelenskyy’s statements in Yerevan.

Pashinyan added that the summit of the European Political Community is a multilateral platform, and the venue of the meeting should not play a role in statements emanating from those attending the gathering.

“This event is as much my event as it is the event of our other partners. I do not think that as the head of the host country, I should censor or necessarily respond to everything. It is a multilateral platform, and people should express themselves within that platform,” Pashinyan noted.

He claimed that there have been instances when the Russian president had made statements about the leaders of various countries in his presence. “But I don’t recall that they expected me to respond to those statements,” Pashinyan added.

“We are a member country of the European Political Community, a member country of the EEU, but that doesn’t mean that we pretend to interfere in all world affairs,” Pashinyan said.

—