Putin says Armenia can't be both member of EU and Russia-led economic bloc

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday told Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan that it is “simply impossible” for Armenia to be part of both the European Union and the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) at the same time. Speaking at the start of talks in Moscow, Putin said, “As for relations with the European Union, we’re pretty relaxed about it. We understand every country is trying to get the best deal it can from working with others. But it has to be clear and upfront [with] no surprises. What’s simply not possible is being in a customs union with both the EU and the Eurasian Economic Union at the same time. That’s not politics, it’s just economics.”

Putin highlighted the technical differences between the blocs, saying, “ There are too many technical differences. Standards, market access, phytosanitary rules, the requirements in Russia and the EU are very different. Sorting that out takes years of coordinated work, and right now it just doesn’t line up. Maybe one day it will. We’re on the same continent, after all. But even before the Ukraine crisis, when we tried to find a way to work together with the [Western] Europeans, nothing really came of it. They took a very tough line on almost everything, even issues that seemed quite minor to us.”

Armenia, which signed a US-brokered peace deal last year ending decades of hostilities with Azerbaijan , has been seeking closer ties with the US and EU . Prime Minister Pashinyan declared an intention to join the EU and temporarily suspended Armenia’s participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization .

Pashinyan acknowledged that dual membership is impossible but argued Armenia can continue cooperating with the EU while remaining part of the EAEU for now. The EAEU , created in 2015, allows free movement of goods, capital, and labor among Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, while the EU provides broader economic integration, regulatory frameworks, and political alignment with Europe. He stressed that ties with Russia remain deep and important , even as relations have strained over the 2023 Karabakh conflict, when Russian peacekeepers failed to halt Azerbaijan’s offensive. Putin defended Moscow, saying Armenia’s 2022 recognition of Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan prevented intervention.

Looking ahead, Armenia appears likely to adopt a balancing strategy , maintaining EAEU membership for economic and energy benefits while exploring deeper EU cooperation , though a definitive choice may become necessary depending on political, economic, and election outcomes. The two leaders also discussed regional initiatives, including a US-mediated transport corridor, and Russia’s hope that pro-Russia political forces can freely compete in Armenia’s June parliamentary elections , despite Pashinyan noting that Armenian law bars holders of Russian passports from participating.