The key facts

  • Russian Ambassador Kopyrkin said Armenia must choose between the EU and the EAEU
  • Pashinyan earlier named 2027–2028 as a possible timeframe for submitting an EU application
  • The EAEU had previously warned of a threat to the single market if Armenia joined the EU

Ambassador's statement

Armenia will have to choose between the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union, said Russia's Ambassador to Yerevan Sergey Kopyrkin,as quoted by TASS. According to him, the European Union today is 'not at all the same' as it was some time ago, including in the context of relations with Moscow, so Yerevan needs to make up its mind. The diplomat stressed that remaining a member of the EAEU serves Armenia's interests, since it provides 'very serious privileges' and is beneficial in terms of growing trade turnover and GDP volume. At the same time, Kopyrkin noted, the choice remains with Armenia and the Armenian people, but Moscow wants it to be made as soon as possible.

Context: Yerevan's statements and the union's warnings

The ambassador's statement fits into a series of recent remarks on the Armenian-European topic. On November 3, Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that Yerevan could officially submit its application for EU membership in 2027 or 2028. Earlier, on October 20, it was reported that Armenia's intention to obtain EU membership poses a threat to the formation and functioning of the EAEU's single market. Even earlier, on October 4, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that 'the most terrible thing' could happen to Armenia. Thus, Moscow's position combines recognition of the sovereignty of Armenia's choice with pressure over timing: the ambassador directly links EAEU membership to economic benefits, while earlier reports pointed to risks for the Eurasian market should Yerevan take a European course.