Putin: Armenia`s adoption of the law on EU accession means an announcement of its withdrawal from the Eurasian Economic Union

ArmInfo. Armenia's adoption of the law on joining the European Union signifies its withdrawal from the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Russian President Vladimir Putin announced this at a press conference following his visit to Bishkek.

"Regarding the EU and the EAEU, I also said today: if you decide to move towards the EU, go ahead. This is the sovereign decision of any country. We are bound by historical ties of friendship with the Armenian people, and even more than friendship. We have very deep-rooted relations with Armenians, with the Armenian people in general, with Armenians in this region of the world in particular. But it is simply impossible to be in both organizations at the same time. It is simply impossible," the Russian leader said. He reiterated that the EU and the EAEU have different phytosanitary norms, different technical standards, and, in general, many things that are incompatible, at least for now.

"And when the Prime Minister said that we had not withdrawn or submitted a request to leave the EAEU—I think this was still in the open part—I said: well, of course, if you passed a law—they passed a law on starting the EU accession procedure—that means you announced to us that you are, in some way, leaving the EAEU," Putin emphasized.

He then noted that Armenia receives significant preferences in working within the EAEU. Putin added that he's not even talking about energy prices right now.

"But that's not the point: the market is ours, and facilities are being built there, and there are many preferences of all kinds." By using these preferences in working with us, the country will strive to leave here, to a certain extent, taking advantage of all the benefits of cooperation with the EAEU and Russia. Now let them honestly say what they want and what their goals are.

We agreed to conduct a calm dialogue. Nikol Vovayevich proposed conducting a rigorous analysis of our joint work in every area. I agree with this. I invited him to Moscow so that we could sit down leisurely, with his specialists and our government specialists, and go over each point," the Russian President added.

On May 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking to journalists, suggested that Armenia decide on its membership in the EU and the EAEU as soon as possible, indicating its readiness to "begin a civilized divorce" if necessary. Yerevan responded by noting that it would leave the EAEU whenever it deemed it necessary. On May 29, the heads of four of the five EAEU countries adopted a resolution recommending that Armenia hold a referendum on its continued membership in the EAEU. That same day, the Russian president stated that Armenia could not afford to sit on both sides of the fence and needed to make a choice as soon as possible.

It should be noted that on January 9, 2025, the Armenian government approved a draft law on the start of the process of joining the European Union, proposed by the "Eurakve" civic initiative. The draft was sent to the Armenian parliament for approval. On March 26, the parliament adopted it in its final reading and sent it to the president for signature. The document was signed on April 4 of that year. Moscow stated that Russia had conveyed to Armenia that simultaneous membership in the Eurasian Economic Union and the European Union was impossible.