Category: News

Armenia launches what appears to be first-ever investigation of Russian-backed

Talar Tumanian
OC Media
May 22 2026

Armenia has launched an investigation into what appears to be the first-ever case of Russian-backed espionage and treason since independence, targeting opposition politician Andranik Tevanyan, a candidate on tycoon Gagik Tsarukyan’s electoral list for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Tevanyan is accused of being recruited by foreign intelligence services in 2024 and of passing on state secrets in exchange for $622,000.

He is also alleged to have acted under the instructions of a foreign intelligence representative described as the director of the ‘Russia Caucasus’ geopolitical centre. OC Media could not find any publicly available information on the organisation.

According to the Investigative Committee’s statement, Tevanyan ‘illegally’ collected and transferred ‘information containing state secrets — namely, Russian-translated information regarding the course and results of hearings held during a closed, classified session of the parliament in April 2024’.

Following the opening of the case, searches were conducted early on Friday morning at the office of Tevanyan’s Mother Armenia party and at his apartment. Separately, searches were also carried out at the home of MP Martun Grigoryan from the I Have Honour faction, who is also linked to Tsarukyan’s electoral list.

Tevanyan has described the operation as an attempt to obstruct their election campaign. He also rejected the allegations in a Facebook Live, describing the case as ‘fabricated’ and ‘nonsense’.

According to Tevanyan, despite being elected as an MP from the Armenia Alliance faction in 2021, he stepped down in 2023, noting that he ‘physically’ could not have attended such a parliamentary session.

‘If you read the statement carefully, you will see the word ILLEGALLY. In other words, during 2024, the person illegally collected information containing state secrets. That circumstance is also the subject of the investigation’, the Armenian Investigative Committee elaborated in response.

On Friday evening, the Central Electoral Commission is set to discuss the prosecutor’s motion to initiate criminal prosecution against Tevanyan. If convicted of espionage or high treason, he faces a potential life sentence.

Shooting or Tsarukyan’s lion’s cage?

The allegations against Tevanyan, as well as an upcoming report from the National Security Service (NSS), were first announced by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Wednesday, while campaigning in Armenia’s third-largest city, Vanadzor.

At the same time, Pashinyan, who dubbed his Civil Contract’s main political opponents the alliances and parties led by Russian–Armenian tycoon Samvel Karapetyan, ex-President Robert Kocharyan, and Tsarukyan a ‘three-headed war party’, suggested they could instead be ‘rebranded’ a ‘three-headed party of espionage’.

Investigation suggests Karapetyan had ties to Russia’s FSB

Two days later, on Friday, Pashinyan noted in a press briefing that Armenia and Russia had an agreement not to engage in espionage activities on each other’s territory, and that it would be made clear during the investigation if the contract had been violated.

He further argued that suspected espionage cases should not be handled through immediate arrests but through prolonged monitoring to map networks and contacts, including which electoral list the person ended up in, ‘from whom that party leader receives orders’, whether they fulfill such orders or not.

Pashinyan also raised the possibility that Tevanyan’s case could be linked to broader dynamics involving Tsarukyan’s family, including the wanted status of his son, Nver Tsarukyan.

Nver Tsarukyan is wanted in Armenia over a 2024 shooting incident and has reportedly remained abroad since travelling to Belarus and Russia on what he described as a ‘business trip’.

Earlier in May, Pashinyan vowed to ‘drag [Tsarukyan’s] son back from Belarus by the scruff of his neck and bring him to justice’.

‘We need to understand whether they influenced [Tsarukyan] through that son factor or not, whether he is voluntarily serving against his own country’s interests, or whether he has some business interests, and so on’, Pashinyan said on Friday.

‘If they declare that Tsarukyan is a spy, let them shoot me, I will write the relevant paper on my own free will. If not, the one who expresses it must come, enter my lion’s cage, of their own free will’, Tsarukyan had said the day prior.

Candidate from Tsarukyan’s Prosperous Armenia party investigated for treason

The case against Tevanyan is the first to emerge since Pashinyan claimed in April that the authorities had compiled a ‘thick file’ of individuals allegedly acting in line with foreign agendas. At the time, Pashinyan said some political figures were ‘walking along the edge’ of espionage.

‘Once they cross it, there will be a response’, Pashinyan said.

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The upcoming Armenian election will decide the future direction of the country

Emil Lazarian
commonspace.eu
May 22 2026

This commentary was prepared by Mr Anri Stepanyan for the seventh issue of the Armenia Election Monitor 2026.

The upcoming elections that the Republic of Armenia will be facing next month will likely be one of the most decisive political moments for the country in the past decade. Ever since the Velvet Revolution in 2018, the country has undergone numerous internal and external processes that have significantly impacted its stance in the region, in the international arena, and the lives of its citizens. Much of this has been due to the change of regime in 2018, from the old-fashioned conservatives to the current ruling party and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who are commonly framed as “pro-Western”. The importance of the upcoming elections lies in the fundamentally different approaches of these two sides regarding the direction in which they want to steer Armenia.

The background:

The conservative bloc mainly consists of two parties, each associated with a different oligarch: Samvel Karapetyan of Strong Armenia and Robert Kocharyan of the Armenia Alliance. Both are in favor of continued alliance and cooperation with Russia, both reportedly receive Moscow’s support in the upcoming elections, and both made their fortunes through trade or business ties with Russia.

To this day, Russia remains one of Armenia’s largest trading partners, supplying most of Armenia’s wheat, natural gas, and a significant share of its petroleum products. Armenia exports to Russia alcohol, agricultural products, and, in recent years, has also served as a transit and re-export hub for certain Western-manufactured goods following sanctions imposed on Russia after 2022. All of this provides Armenia with a relatively stable income and stable prices for petroleum and food. Such co-operation is not surprising considering that both countries are members of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Trade Zone.

Furthermore, the economy is not the only leverage Russia holds over Armenia. Moscow provided Yerevan with military equipment throughout the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. It also established a military presence in Nagorno-Karabakh with the official reason stating: “it is necessary for the protection of the ethnic Armenians living there”. However, this security framework collapsed during the final conflict in September 2023, resulting in the involuntary displacement of approximately 120,000 ethnic Armenians from Karabakh to Armenia. This has led to an increased level of mistrust in Armenia, as Russia did not intervene to support it during the conflict, despite commitments to do so.

Despite this, both countries remain members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), which continues to impact Armenia’s internal political landscape and Russia’s influence in the country, especially considering the continued existence of a Russian military base near Armenia’s second-largest city, Gyumri. All of this continues to provide Moscow with significant leverage in its bilateral relations with Armenia, making it possible to spread the Russian agenda within Armenian society and influence the country’s political direction as part of broader hybrid tactics.

The current ruling party of Nikol Pashinyan, Civil Contract, has taken a different approach. Instead of predominantly relying on Russia as previous governments did, they are attempting to diversify Armenia’s external relations and political partnerships. Over the past few years, Armenia has achieved its first major non-Russian bilateral military deal through the acquisition of Indian military technology beginning in 2022. The government has also established stronger ties with the European Union, particularly following the signing of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in 2017. EU–Armenia relations have increasingly deepened politically and institutionally, with both sides expressing a strong commitment to closer cooperation.

This process accelerated in 2024–2025, as the European Parliament acknowledged Armenia’s potential eligibility for EU membership, while domestic support for European integration grew through public initiatives and legislative action. This was followed by the formal endorsement of the goal of EU accession through the adoption of the EU Integration Act, demonstrating the government’s strategic shift toward closer alignment with the European Union despite pressure from Russia. 

The government also managed to secure a regional connectivity agreement together with Azerbaijan, backed by the United States, through the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP) initiative. The project aims to create a transport route through Armenia’s southern Syunik region connecting mainland Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan, which could positively impact regional connectivity, trade potential, and Armenian–Azerbaijani relations after more than three decades of conflict. According to their official statements and agenda, Pashinyan’s party has pursued these initiatives in order to create a more diverse and peaceful political environment for the country.

The electoral methods and campaigns:

Both conservative factions are using relatively similar methods in their campaigns, which can broadly be divided into three categories. The first is the “blame game”, where they frame Nikol Pashinyan as a traitor to the Armenian people who not only lost the war in 2020 but also betrayed the Armenians of Karabakh in 2023 by refusing to re-enter the conflict.

The second aspect is the utilization of their assets both within the country and abroad. One example is the alleged purchasing of votes through distributing funds to ethnic Armenians living in Russia and Georgia’s Samtskhe-Javakheti region, where there is a large Armenian population. The criteria are relatively simple: the individual must possess dual citizenship, one of which is Armenian citizenship. On election day, they are transported to Armenia to vote for one of the opposition parties, with the aim of steering the elections in the opposition’s favor.

Finally, there is the spread of fear. As mentioned previously, Pashinyan is viewed by many as a pro-Western leader. The conservative narrative suggests that the West is not a trustworthy ally and would not support Armenia in the event of future armed conflict, unlike Russia, which they portray as a historical ally and neighbor. These narratives strongly align with the broader information flow within Russia itself.

Pashinyan’s own campaign strategy remains somewhat unclear. He appears to be taking a more grounded, door-to-door approach, presenting himself as a man of the people. However, this currently faces significant backlash from parts of society. Many continue to view him negatively because of the events mentioned above, particularly the outcome of the Karabakh conflicts and the arrival of approximately 120,000 displaced Armenians from Karabakh, many of whom hold strong anti-Pashinyan sentiments. Additionally, his official statements regarding Karabakh — framing the conflict as an unwise and ultimately suicidal war — remain deeply controversial within Armenian society. He has stated that the war should never have started in the first place. Unsurprisingly, this remains an extremely sensitive topic within society, as the wounds of more than three decades of conflict are still fresh, and many people have lost family members, friends, or loved ones in the war.

Possible outcomes:

Briefly discussing the potential outcomes of the upcoming elections, in the case of a Civil Contract victory, Armenia will likely continue its current course of diversifying its international relations and establishing new partnerships with both Western and Eastern actors, resulting in the country moving further away from Russian influence.

In the case of a conservative victory, there is a strong possibility that many of the initiatives and achievements of Pashinyan’s government over the past eight years could be reversed, bringing Armenia back into a stronger Russian sphere of influence. There is also a potential risk of renewed conflict over the Karabakh issue, as such instability would likely continue to serve as a powerful instrument of leverage for Russia over both the Armenian state and society.

Source: Mr Anri Stepanyan is a graduate of the Advanced Master’s in International Relations and Diplomacy at Leiden University and a Research Assistant at PMMG, focusing on geopolitical analysis, political forecasting, and qualitative research in international affairs. Check out PMMG here. 

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Armenia opens honorary consulate in Kathmandu to boost bilateral ties

Arpi Talalian
Nepal News
May 22 2026
Armenia opens honorary consulate in Kathmandu to boost bilateral ties 
KATHMANDU: Armenia officially inaugurated its honorary consulate in Kathmandu yesterday, May 21, marking a new step in strengthening diplomatic and cultural relations with Nepal.

The consulate office in Naxal was jointly inaugurated by Armenian Ambassador Vahagn Afyan and Honorary Consul Kiran Malla.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Afyan described the opening as a significant milestone in Nepal-Armenia relations since diplomatic ties were established in 1993. He emphasized cooperation in tourism, education, information technology, trade, agriculture, renewable energy, and cultural diplomacy.

Honorary Consul Malla highlighted the historical and cultural similarities between the two countries and expressed confidence that collaboration in tourism, trade, academia, and youth engagement would further deepen bilateral relations. 

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Armenia Respects Russia as a Superpower, Will Never Join Anti-Russian Campaign

Khoyetsian Rose
PRAVDA, Russia
May 22 2026
 22.05.2026 14:55
World

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that Armenia will never become part of an anti-Russian campaign and emphasized that Yerevan intends to maintain respectful relations with Moscow despite ongoing tensions between the two countries.

Pashinyan Says Armenia Will Not Confront Russia

Speaking at a briefing, Pashinyan described Russia as a superpower whose interests deserve respect.

“We will not argue or go to war with Russia because that would be unserious. Russia is a superpower that must be treated with respect. The interests of the Russian Federation also deserve respect,” Pashinyan said.

At the same time, he acknowledged that many people in both Armenia and Russia would like to see a deeper crisis emerge in bilateral relations.

Armenian Leader Defends Zelensky’s Visit to Yerevan

Pashinyan also commented on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent visit to Armenia. Zelensky arrived in Yerevan on May 3 to participate in the European Political Community summit alongside European Union leaders.

During the summit, participants discussed regional security, Armenia’s growing cooperation with the European Union, and possible paths toward resolving the conflict in Ukraine. Armenia and the EU later signed an agreement launching a new partnership framework.

Pashinyan rejected criticism surrounding Zelensky’s presence in Armenia.

“People ask why the president of Ukraine came to Armenia. Excuse me, but why should he not have come?” the Armenian prime minister said.

He pointed out that Russian President Vladimir Putin had visited Baku during the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict and noted that the trip did not provoke outrage in Yerevan.

During the summit, Zelensky made several anti-Russian statements, but Pashinyan chose not to publicly respond. He explained that, as the host leader, he did not consider it necessary to react to every political statement made during the event.

“I do not believe that, as the head of the host country, I should censor or respond to absolutely everything,” he stressed.

However, the Kremlin later stated that allowing anti-Russian rhetoric at the summit contradicted the spirit of relations between Moscow and Yerevan.

Pashinyan Comments on Armenia’s Future in the EAEU

The Armenian prime minister also addressed speculation about Armenia’s possible withdrawal from the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Earlier, he warned that any decision regarding membership would not happen suddenly.

Russian President Vladimir Putin previously urged Armenia to clarify whether it intends to prioritize closer integration with the European Union or remain within the EAEU framework.

Pashinyan responded by saying that only Armenia itself has the authority to decide its future inside the organization.

“Regarding Armenia’s status in the EAEU, according to the union’s regulations, only Armenia itself can discuss that status. A member state may decide to leave, and no other procedure exists,” he explained.

He added that Yerevan remains prepared to discuss membership-related issues with other members of the economic bloc if necessary.

Details

Armenia officially the Republic of Armenia, is a landlocked country in the Armenian highlands of West Asia. It is a part of the Caucasus region and is bordered by Turkey to the west, Georgia to the north, Azerbaijan to the east, and Iran and the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan to the south. Yerevan is the capital, largest city and financial center.

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Study tour of Armenia to dovetail with the 60th anniversary of the Jinishian M

Christine Harutyunian
Presbyterian Church USA
May 22 2026

Study tour of Armenia to dovetail with the 60th anniversary of the Jinishian Memorial Program

July 30 is the deadline to apply for this opportunity to experience the country’s ‘rich history and ancient heritage’

Darla Carter
Image

LOUISVILLE — People who are interested in exploring the history, culture and landscapes of Armenia are invited to participate in the Jinishian Memorial Program’s annual study tour. 

The Discover Armenia Mission Tour takes place Oct. 1-10 and will be hosted by staff of the Jinishian Memorial Program (JMP), an international relief and development agency administered by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). 

“People who enjoy learning about a country through meaningful local connections and a friendly atmosphere should strongly consider this study tour,” said Eliza Minasyan, who manages JMP. “Participants will discover not only Armenia’s rich history and ancient heritage but also its present-day life, current challenges and remarkable resilience.” 

July 30 is the deadline to apply for the tour, which begins in  Armenia’s capital city, Yerevan, and “boasts grand Soviet-era architecture, charming cafes, and bustling markets,” according to the tour agenda. 

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Along with learning about the town’s history and culture, participants will gain insight into the work of JMP, which empowers Armenians across the Middle East and Europe through economic development, community health, education and spiritual upliftment.

“Our foundation is built on the kindness and compassion of simple, caring individuals,” Minasyan said. “We are not supported by wealthy magnates but by middle-class donors whose generosity of spirit helps make dreams possible.”

This year’s tour dovetails with JMP’s 60th anniversary, which adds a special note of significance to the educational opportunity.

“Participants will not only experience Armenia through its history, culture and landscapes but also gain a deeper understanding of six decades of compassionate service, development work and human connections that have impacted countless lives,” Minasyan said.

There will be several organized events, including an “expo for one of our economic development programs,” she said. “We’ll hold the expo for a few days where all these businesses that were supported to be established in the regions of Armenia will come to promote their products and share and communicate with each other.”

Sights featured on the tour include cultural treasures, such as the Holy Mother See of Etchmiadzin Cathedral, one of the first Christian cathedrals in the world, and the Greco-Roman Temple of Garni. 

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The tour includes visits to ancient monasteries as well as cities that range from old to contemporary (Photo courtesy of the Jinishian Memorial Program).

“There also will be visits to ancient monasteries, old and contemporary cities, breathtaking mountains, caves and landscapes that reflect Armenia’s unique blend of history, spirituality, resilience, and natural beauty,” Minasyan said.

The study tour is open to anyone, but there are certain individuals for whom it might be especially beneficial. For example, this tour is “ideal for those interested in development work and the ongoing process of post-Soviet democratization and social transition,” Minasyan said. “It is an opportunity to experience firsthand the culture, faith, spiritual strength and hospitality of a nation that has miraculously survived through centuries of empires and hardships while preserving its identity and values.”

Former tour participant Eric Diekhans wrote in a 2024 reflection, “I can declare without hyperbole that my 10 days in Armenia was the trip of a lifetime. I will return to Armenia, and I’ll bring a new appreciation for this country steeped in tradition but unafraid of change.”

Most of the tour takes place on a bus, with moderate walking required and plenty of opportunities for “friend-raising,” Minasyan said.

“We intentionally keep our groups small, so participants can communicate openly, build friendships and learn from one another,” she said. “We eat together, walk together, learn together and celebrate together. Every day brings something unexpected, meaningful and beautiful, making the journey not only educational but also deeply personal and unforgettable.”

For more information about the tour and about the Jinishian Memorial Program, go here.



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Turkish Press: Pashinyan denies Armenia role in anti-Russian acts

Khondkarian Raffi
Yeni Şafak, Turkey
May 22 2026

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has rejected accusations from Moscow that Yerevan is engaging in “unfriendly” actions, saying many parties seek a crisis in bilateral ties. He insisted Armenia is not Russia’s ally on the Ukraine issue and defended hosting Ukraine’s president at a recent summit.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Friday pushed back against Russian allegations that his government has taken “clearly unfriendly” steps toward Moscow, asserting that Yerevan has not been involved in any anti-Russian activities.

Responding to Shoigu’s accusations

Speaking at a briefing, Pashinyan said, “There are many people who want a crisis” in Russian-Armenian relations, according to state news agency Armenpress. His remarks followed accusations from Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, who pointed to Armenia’s accession to the International Criminal Court, the extradition of Russian citizens to third countries, “the deliberate worsening of conditions for Russian economic operators,” and the use of a European Political Community summit platform in Yerevan by Kyiv to issue threats against Russia.

EAEU membership and Ukraine stance

Addressing Armenia’s place in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Pashinyan said only Yerevan can decide whether to stay or leave the bloc. “We can discuss any questions that arise, and I assume our partners may have some, and we will respond to all of them patiently,” he said. On the Ukraine war, he stressed that Armenia is not Russia’s ally. Defending the decision to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a May summit in Yerevan, Pashinyan asked: “Excuse me — wasn’t he supposed to visit Armenia? When Armenia was in conflict with Azerbaijan, didn’t the president of Azerbaijan visit Russia?”

Diplomatic fallout over Zelenskyy’s remarks

Dozens of leaders attended the European Political Community summit in Yerevan in early May, alongside a separate EU-Armenia meeting. During the event, Zelenskyy warned that Ukrainian drones could fly over Moscow on May 9, when Russia held its World War II victory parade. Following the remarks, Russia summoned Armenia’s ambassador in Moscow, informing him of the “categorical unacceptability” of giving the Ukrainian president a platform to issue what Moscow described as “terrorist threats.”

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In Russia, Armenian mineral water “Jermuk” is completely banned

Yeghisabet Arthur
May 22 2026

In Russia, Armenian mineral water “Jermuk” is completely banned

Russia has completely banned the sale and import of the well-known mineral water “Jermuk,” which is extracted in Armenia. This decision was made by Rospotrebnadzor, writes “Kommersant”.

Previously, since the end of April, restrictions only applied to individual batches of water with specific production dates. Now, however, the ban extends to all products without exception. Russian authorities have simply prohibited the supply of this water to the country.

The formal reason is that the water allegedly showed an excess of certain substances — bicarbonates, chlorides, and sulfates. The agency claims that this, it says, could mislead people regarding its medicinal properties and even harm health if a person relies on such an effect.

The adopted decision was reported to the Eurasian Economic Commission and relevant authorities of other EAEU countries, as well as to trade organizations, to stop the distribution of the product.

Formally, this decision looks like restrictions for purely technical reasons, but it has long been known that sanitary restrictions on imports from countries whose leadership or people have displeased the Kremlin are a standard practice of the Russian authorities. The discovery of something harmful in products from a particular country by Rospotrebnadzor or other similar structures almost always miraculously coincides with a general deterioration of interstate relations.

Earlier, Rosselkhoznadzor announced that from May 22, it would introduce restrictions on the import of flowers from Armenia.


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Armenia Has “No Plans” To Exit The Eurasian Economic Union

Hambardsumian Paul
Russia’s Pivot to Asia
May 22 2026

Published on May 22, 2026

EN RU

Armenia has no plans to exit the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and the country’s possible removal from the organisation cannot be discussed in a unilateral format, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has said. The statement came after multiple European media outlets had stressed that Armenia was poised to join the European Union and preferred ties with Brussels over Moscow. The EAEU includes Russia as well as Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. It fills the geophysical space between Eastern Europe and Western China.  

Mirzoyan said that “the issue of Armenia’s exit from the EAEU cannot be discussed until Armenia itself submits this request and voices this desire. We have not voiced this desire. Consequently, our possible removal cannot be discussed. The Armenian sovereign charter does not cater for this. Such an issue is not on our agenda.”

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk had earlier stated in response to European media suggestions over a tendency for Yerevan to seek rapprochement with the West that “Membership in the EAEU and the EU are incompatible. Armenia understands this very well.”

Any possibility of freezing Armenia’s EAEU membership cannot be discussed without Yerevan’s participation either,” Mirzoyan stated, adding that “it cannot happen.” It is not envisioned in the Armenian charter. The EAEU is an organisation that is governed by consensus decisions. How is it possible? On the contrary, we are committed to continuing this EAEU partnership.”

Armenia is looking for Russian investment to boost its nuclear energy sector, while bilateral trade has been somewhat erratic, mainly due to the threat of secondary sanctions on Yerevan. However, Moscow remains Yerevan’s principal trading and investment partner, accounting for over 36% of Armenia’s exports in 2025, with cooperation concentrated in consumer goods, food production, and key industrial sectors. Bilateral trade reached US$6.4 billion last year.

On May 20, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu said at a meeting of the Security Council’s special working group that Russia accounts for up to 98% of Armenia’s agricultural exports. “It is hardly possible to dispute the fact that cooperation with Russia is the main driver of Armenia’s economic growth. The development of economic ties with us has allowed Armenia’s GDP to grow by almost 40% from 2022 to 2025 alone,” Shoigu said.

The European Union is Armenia’s fourth-biggest trading partner, representing just 7.5% of Armenia’s total trade. Armenia does not have any natural border with the European Union.

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Russia Suspends Imports and Sales of Mineral Water from Armenia

Garo Vardanian
PRAVDA Russia
May 22 2026
 22.05.2026 19:49
World

Russia’s consumer safety watchdog Rospotrebnadzor has fully suspended the import and sale of Jermuk mineral water across the country after inspectors identified excessive levels of several chemical compounds in the product.

Russia Expands Restrictions on Jermuk Mineral Water

According to the agency, laboratory testing revealed elevated levels of bicarbonate ions, chlorides, and sulfates in the Armenian-produced mineral water.

The restrictions officially took effect on May 22.

Earlier, on April 28, Russian authorities imposed temporary sanitary measures only on specific batches produced by Jermuk Group. The latest decision now applies to all products released under the Jermuk brand.

Rospotrebnadzor described the move as a temporary sanitary measure and stated that it had already notified the Eurasian Economic Commission about the restrictions.

“Misleading consumers regarding the medicinal properties of products may result in ineffective treatment and deterioration of health,” the agency stated.

Officials added that authorities continue monitoring the circulation of Jermuk mineral water on the Russian market.

Russia Also Tightens Controls on Armenian Agricultural Imports

At the same time, Rosselkhoznadzor introduced temporary restrictions on flower imports from Armenia starting May 22.

According to the agency’s head Sergey Dankvert, Russian specialists also have concerns regarding Armenian fruit and vegetable imports.

Dankvert explained that authorities are currently conducting additional inspections of suppliers and reviewing guarantees related to product safety.

Restrictions Come Amid Growing Political Tensions

The latest trade measures arrive during a period of increasingly complicated relations between Russia and Armenia.

On April 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin told Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan that Moscow remained “completely calm” about Armenia’s growing ties with the European Union. However, Putin also stated that Armenia would not be able to remain simultaneously inside both the EU and the Eurasian Economic Union.

Later, on April 20, Pashinyan announced that Armenia would not return to active participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

In early May, Yerevan hosted the European Political Community summit attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and several European leaders.

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Pashinyan Says Only Armenia Can Discuss EAEU Status

Garnik Tadevosian
Eurasia Review
May 22 2026
 May 22, 2026  0 Comments

By PanARMENIAN

The question of status in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) can only be discussed by Armenia, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said during a press conference. He added that under EAEU regulations, only a member state can raise the issue of its status within the bloc, Sputnik Armenia reported.

“There are EAEU regulations according to which the issue of status can only be discussed by Armenia, meaning the member country itself; there is no other procedure. Any questions may arise among partners, and we will respond patiently,” Pashinyan said.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan also stated on May 21 that the issue of leaving the EAEU cannot be discussed unless Armenia submits such a request and expresses such a desire.

During a meeting with Nikol Pashinyan on April 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Armenia’s simultaneous membership in the European Union and the EAEU was impossible.

On May 18, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk announced that the issue of Armenia’s status in the EAEU would be discussed on May 29 during a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in Astana. According to him, it would be better if Armenia decided as quickly as possible between the Eurasian and European unions, as this would also be fairer toward Armenia’s partners in the EAEU.

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