Zakharova: Moscow’s position on the need for Armenia to hold a plebiscite on the EU has not changed

Arminfo.  Russia’s position regarding the need to hold a nationwide referendum as soon as possible on Yerevan’s launch of the process of joining the EU has not changed.  Official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova stated this during a briefing on September 15.

She noted that the Russian side had repeatedly presented this position to its Armenian colleagues, including during bilateral negotiations.  "We still proceed from the fact that it would be not merely honest, but extremely necessary to determine which path the republic led by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is taking. And, as is known, this opinion is also shared by other partners in the EAEU," she said.

Zakharova called the position of the EAEU member states logical.  "We take note of the Armenian side’s arguments regarding the inexpediency of holding such a plebiscite at this moment; it is simply very difficult to agree with them, because none of what the Armenian side has stated contradicts a plebiscite," the diplomat continued, noting that a plebiscite is consistent with the democratic path that Yerevan declares.

She then compared what is happening between Armenia and the EAEU to a relationship in a family where one of the couple is seemingly no longer part of the family and has found someone else, but is still refusing to speak honestly about it. She also again stressed that Armenia will lose all preferences within the EAEU after joining the EU.

On May 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking with journalists, suggested that Armenia determine its membership in the EU and the EAEU as soon as possible, indicating readiness to "begin a civilized divorce" if necessary. Yerevan responded by noting that it would leave the EAEU when it deemed necessary. And already on May 29, the heads of 4 of the 5 EAEU countries adopted a resolution recommending that Armenia hold a referendum on the issue of the country’s continued membership in the EAEU. On the same day, the President of the Russian Federation stated that Armenia would not be able to sit on two chairs and needed to make its choice as soon as possible.

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