Russian Foreign Ministry: Armenian citizens should assess the dangers of European integration

Arminfo.  Russia wants to believe that the citizens of Armenia will be able to objectively assess the danger of the “European integration” adventure into which they are currently being drawn, said Vladislav Maslennikov, Director of the Department of European Problems at the Russian Foreign Ministry and the senior official representing the Russian Federation on the Arctic Council.

"The final choice of the country's development vector remains with the citizens of Armenia in any case. In this regard, one would like to believe that they will be able to objectively assess the danger of the "European integration" adventure into which they are currently being drawn," Maslennikov said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

On May 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking with journalists, suggested that Armenia decide as soon as possible on its membership in the EU and the EAEU, indicating readiness to "begin a civilized divorce" if necessary. Yerevan responded by saying 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 Russian president said that Armenia would not be able to sit on two chairs and needed to decide on its choice as soon as possible.

It should be noted that on January 9, 2025, the Armenian government approved a draft law on launching 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 at the final reading and sent it to the president for signing.  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.