Category: News

A separate meeting between Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan and Russian President Vladimir Putin is not planned during the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan, scheduled to take place on May 29, TASS reported, citing the Kremlin spokesperson.

Grigoryan is representing Armenia at the summit instead of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who earlier said he would not attend due to the campaigning period in Armenia.

“No, a separate meeting is not planned; however, if they wish, they can have a conversation on the platforms of the summit,” TASS quoted Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov as saying when asked at a press briefing about a possible meeting between the Armenian deputy prime minister and Putin.

Russian Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov has stated that restrictions on the import of certain goods from Armenia will not have a negative impact on the Russian economy.

Reshetnikov, in an interview with the Russian newspaper Izvestiya, claimed that Armenian imports had “relatively low consumption.”

“I am ready to speak on behalf of our market. Of course, it will not affect our market. Yesterday I was asked what will happen with inflation and so on. These are goods with relatively low consumption. We have always met the main demand through our own domestic production where necessary. In those areas, we have a fairly diversified system of suppliers in our market. Of course, we value everyone, but there will be no problems for our economy,” the Russian minister said when asked about the potential impact on the Russian economy of its recently announced ban on imports from Armenia.

Russia recently banned imports of flowers produced in Armenia, as well as Jermuk mineral water, some alcoholic beverages, vegetables (including tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and greens), and strawberries.

Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan told the leaders of the EAEU member states on Friday that the country intends to continue to participate in good faith in the work of the union, based on the principles of mutual respect, equal partnership, and taking into account the national interests of the member states.

He made the remarks at the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council — the highest body of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) — convened in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev opened the summit, which was also attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin and the leaders of other EAEU member states.

Grigoryan took part instead of PM Nikol Pashinyan because the Armenian leader was unable to attend due to the campaigning period.

“I would like to wish all those present success, effective and constructive joint work, as well as to express confidence in the further development of Eurasian integration in the interests of our states and citizens,” Grigoryan said.

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that Armenia has repeatedly reaffirmed its commitment to mutually beneficial cooperation within the EAEU framework, in the interests of ensuring the economic stability and economic development of the member countries.

“The Republic of Armenia intends to continue to participate in good faith in the work of the Union, based on the principles of mutual respect, equal partnership, and taking into account the national interests of all EAEU member states,” he noted.

Grigoryan emphasized the importance of the Artificial Intelligence agenda discussed at the Eurasian Economic Forum, noting that its development and implementation are key factors in improving economic competitiveness and strengthening technological sovereignty.

He said the EAEU joint declaration on the responsible development of AI is an important step toward coordinated approaches and effective cooperation mechanisms among member states in this field.

He also noted that the liberalization of services and trade remains a key driver of deeper integration within the EAEU, while some aspects of national regulations still require practical coordination to improve predictability, transparency, and business conditions.

Grigoryan stressed the importance of diversifying trade and economic ties with third countries, highlighting the effective implementation of existing free trade agreements and advancing negotiations on new ones.

He added that the diversification of transport connectivity is a key factor in boosting trade turnover.

He also underlined the importance of developing cooperation in the agro-industrial sector and welcomed the signing of a protocol extending financial support mechanisms for cooperative projects, saying it will contribute to expanding cooperation and strengthening food security within the Union.

The Kremlin said on Friday that leaders of four EAEU member states adopted a statement during the Astana summit and conveyed it to Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan.

Yuri Ushakov, an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, told reporters that the situation “around Armenia’s stance” was discussed at the summit.

“The statement of the four leaders was adopted,” Ushakov said, adding that Grigoryan was given the document signed by the leaders of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan to take back to Yerevan.

The Kremlin official did not elaborate.

Grigoryan attended in place of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who was unable to participate due to the election campaign period.

Moscow had earlier said that Armenia’s status within the union would be discussed at the summit, given Yerevan’s EU integration path.

Armenia has repeatedly said that it does not seek to withdraw from the union, but will continue to deepen ties with the EU.

Moscow said on Friday that EU integration is Armenia’s sovereign right, but that the process cannot take place “at the expense of the financial resources” of fellow members of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

“Moving toward the EU is Armenia’s absolute sovereign right; however, Armenia cannot and must not do so at the expense of the finances of EAEU countries. That is, it must do it at its own expense,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

He warned that sooner or later Armenia could face a situation in which regulatory norms adopted in the country would contradict those of the EAEU.

Earlier, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that Armenia does not intend to withdraw from the EAEU and will continue to use its membership in the Union to protect the country’s economic interests.

The presidents of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan haveadopted a joint statement proposing that Armenia hold a nationwidereferendum “as soon as possible” on whether to join the European Unionor remain a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The jointstatement was published on the Kremlin’s official website.

The statement, adopted in Astana on May 29, says the position wasformed in light of Armenia’s recent steps towards European Unionmembership. Those steps include the adoption in 2025 by Armenia’sNational Assembly, and the subsequent signing by the President of theRepublic, of the law “On the launch of the process of the Republic ofArmenia’s accession to the European Union”, as well as the EuropeanUnion’s reaffirmation of Armenia’s European aspirations in the jointdeclaration adopted following the first Armenia-European Union summitheld on May 5, 2026.

“We share the position that it is necessary to hold a nationwidereferendum in the Republic of Armenia within the shortest possibletimeframe on the issue of accession to the European Union or continuedmembership in the Eurasian Economic Union,” the statement said.

The document also states that “the leaders of the EAEU member statessee significant economic security risks for the Union’s membercountries linked to Armenia’s preparations for accession to theEuropean Union.”

In this regard, it was decided that representatives of the Republic ofBelarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and theRussian Federation in the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council willpresent a report at the next meeting of the Supreme Eurasian EconomicCouncil, scheduled for December 2026, on the possible consequences ofsuspending the application of the Treaty on the Eurasian EconomicUnion with respect to the Republic of Armenia.

Commonwealth of Independent States General Secretary Sergey Lebedev has said Armenia will not join the European Union in the foreseeable future and will remain a member of both the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

“They will not go to the European Union, that will not happen in thenear future. No, they will not,” Lebedev said in an interview with the Russian media outlet Life.

He also gave an affirmative response when asked whether Armenia wouldremain a member of the EAEU and the CIS.

“And it will remain in the CIS. That is certain,” the CIS generalsecretary stressed.

Earlier, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that Armenia is not planning to leave the EAEU and will continue to use itsinvolvement in the bloc to protect the country’s economic interests.

Meanwhile, at a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in Astana, Armenia’s Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan reaffirmed Armenia’s readiness to continue participating in the Union’s work ingood faith, on the basis of mutual respect, equal partnership andconsideration of the national interests of member states.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Armenia’s decision on whether to move closer to the European Union or pursue another path should be made based on the interests of the Armenian people and that such a decision would not damage Armenian-Russian relations.

During a press conference, Putin stressed that the Russian and Armenian peoples have been bound by strong ties of friendship and special relations for centuries.

“Without any exaggeration, the Russian and Armenian peoples have been connected for centuries by ties of friendship and special relations. Russia and Armenia have a special relationship. I told him [Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan] that everything that is good for the Armenian people is also acceptable and good for Russia,” the Russian president said.

According to Putin, it is the Armenian authorities who are responsible for making such decisions.

“Do as you consider right, based on the interests of the Armenian people. You are now in power, and the responsibility for making decisions rests with you. Whatever decision you make, so it will be,” Putin said.

At the same time, he stressed that the issue primarily concerns economic matters.

“Whatever decision is made, it will not damage our humanitarian ties or our political relations, but in this case we are speaking purely about economic components. Everything must be calculated, carefully examined and only then should a decision be made,” he said.

Putin also recalled that the crisis in Ukraine had once begun against the backdrop of attempts to join the European Union.

“We were not against it, but we said: listen, for example, phytosanitary standards are completely different,” the Russian president noted.

He added that he had held an open and frank discussion on the matter with Armenia’s Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan.

“I told him that our conversation on this issue can only be frank, honest and completely open. Today, in practical terms, it is impossible to combine one with the other. Therefore, we will ultimately be forced to almost completely halt work related to economic integration processes with Armenia,” Putin said.

The Russian president cited energy prices as one of the advantages of membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

“In Europe, the price of gas is around 600 euros, while for Armenia it is around 150 euros. But this is not the only advantage,” he said.

According to Putin, investment issues must also be taken into account. He noted that European partners had promised to invest 2.5 billion euros in Armenia, but the timeframe and mechanisms for implementing those investments remain unclear.

“Even so, 2.5 billion is less than 4.9 billion, not to mention the indirect investments of Russian capital,” the Russian president said.

He also stated that if Armenia were outside the EAEU, the conditions for Armenian citizens working in Russia and accessing social services could change.

“That would mean that in order to work in Russia, it would be necessary to obtain a work permit, while access to the compulsory medical insurance system would require living in the country for at least five years. And there are many such requirements. This is a completely different situation. We simply need to speak about all of this clearly, openly and honestly,” Putin concluded.

Russia has carried out another shipment to Armenia via transit through Azerbaijan, the APA news agency reported.

A consignment consisting of four railcars carrying 280 tons of wheat and four railcars carrying 277 tons of fertilizer was dispatched today from Bilajari Station toward the Boyuk Kasik direction, according to APA.

To date, more than 28,000 tons of grain, over 4,000 tons of fertilizer, 133 tons of aluminum, and 68 tons of buckwheat have been transported from Russia to Armenia via transit through Azerbaijan.

In addition to transit shipments, petroleum products are exported from Azerbaijan to Armenia. So far, more than 10,000 tons of diesel fuel, 979 tons of AI-92 gasoline, and 2,955 tons of AI-95 gasoline have been exported from Azerbaijan to Armenia.

The shipments are carried out via Georgian territory, as the Armenia–Azerbaijan direct railway has not yet been restored.

A senior member of the Strong Armenia alliance led by Samvel Karapetyan has denied law enforcement agencies’ allegations of vote-buying ahead of the June 7 elections.

Gohar Meloyan, who is running for parliament on the Strong Armenia ticket as its third candidate, claimed that the frequently released audio recordings presented by law enforcement agencies as conversations between alliance associates discussing vote-buying schemes are fabricated.

The Anti-Corruption Committee has released multiple such recordings obtained during investigations.

Meloyan stated that their political force does not need to resort to vote-buying, as evidenced by the large turnout at the bloc’s rallies.

“We have appealed to international partners regarding the recordings. This is a disgraceful interference in our political force and clearly targets us. The Anti-Corruption Committee recordings are fabricated and intended to discredit the public perception of our political force,” Meloyan said at a press briefing.

Asked about details regarding the process of Strong Armenia alliance leader Samvel Karapetyan’s renunciation of Cypriot and Russian citizenship, she noted that the process is ongoing.

According to her, it is normal for a person of Samvel Karapetyan’s stature to hold citizenship in different countries.

“In many countries, such influential individuals are also granted citizenship, and renouncing it is a complex process,” she said.

Earlier this year, Strong Armenia named business magnate Samvel Karapetyan as its prime ministerial candidate in the upcoming general election, despite an apparent constitutional barrier.

Constitutional requirements for a prime minister in Armenia include having resided in the country for at least the previous four years and holding exclusively Armenian citizenship during that period. Karapetyan is reported to hold dual citizenship and has been based mostly abroad.

The party announced that if it wins the election, it would initiate legislative amendments, change the relevant law regarding the requirements, and elect Samvel Karapetyan.

His nephew Narek is the alliance’s lead candidate on the electoral list.