Zakharova: Armenia`s pro-EU pivot poses economic security risks to  EAEU member states

ArmInfo.  Armenia's course toward rapprochement with the European Union (EU) carries risks to the economic security of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states, according to a commentary by Maria Zakharova, official spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as reported  by TASS.

Zakharova emphasized that Armenia must clarify its strategic  direction between the EAEU and the EU as soon as possible. She  referenced a joint statement issued by the leaders of Belarus,  Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia on May 29 in Astana, which  highlighted the potential risks of Armenia's current course and the  need to prevent them.

"Yerevan needs to answer the question regarding its strategic choice  as soon as possible, as Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan himself has  called for," Zakharova noted. However, she criticized the Armenian  Prime Minister's recent statements during a government session on  June 25 and subsequent press interactions, claiming he is "diverting  the conversation into the realm of demagoguery," similar to his  actions regarding the suspension of Armenia's participation in the  CSTO.

Meanwhile, as the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry noted, the  main question remains unanswered.  Specifically, as Zakharova  clarified: " How can one pass a law in 2025 on 'initiating the  process of Armenia's accession to the European Union,' assert that  Armenia's future lies in Europe, and sign joint declarations with the  EU in May 2026 outlining concrete steps toward integration, while  simultaneously claiming an intent to remain a full member of the  EAEU?" 

In this regard, Zakharova recalled that the leaders of Belarus,  Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia have scheduled a report to be  presented at the upcoming Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meeting  in December 2026. This report will analyze the potential consequences  of suspending the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union in relation  to Armenia.

"At that time, the leaders of the four countries expressed a unified  position regarding the necessity of holding a referendum in the  country as soon as possible on whether to join the EU or continue  membership in the EAEU," Zakharova concluded.