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Armenian PM rejects Russia’s demand for EU referendum as relations nosedive
TL;DR
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has rejected Russia's demand for a referendum on leaving the EAEU to join the EU. This refusal comes amid escalating tensions and pressure from Moscow as Armenia shifts its focus towards the West.
Key points
- Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan rejected Russia's referendum demand.
- The demand was made during a call from President Putin.
- Tensions escalated at the EAEU summit in Kazakhstan.
- Putin warned against pursuing Western ambitions.
- Membership in both the EU and EAEU is deemed impossible by Russia.
Mentioned in this story
Nikol PashinyanVladimir PutinEurasian Economic UnionEuropean Union
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has rejected a call from Moscow to hold an immediate referendum on leaving the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) to join the European Union.
The refusal from Pashinyan came on Monday as Russian President Vladimir Putin called, ostensibly to wish him a happy birthday. The “unreasonable” demand, as the Armenian leader termed it, came amid a rapid escalation of economic and diplomatic pressure from the Kremlin as its traditional ally increasingly looks to the West.
Tensions boiled over at the EAEU summit in Kazakhstan on May 29, as Putin and fellow bloc members Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan issued a joint statement urging Armenia to hold a referendum on joining the EU “as soon as possible”.
Membership of both the EU and EAEU is impossible, the Russian leader insists.
Putin also appeared to make a barely-veiled threat, warning Armenia against pursuing its Western ambitions, and noting that the “Ukrainian scenario” had begun with Kyiv’s EU aspirations.
In a video address broadcast on social media, Pashinyan stated that the government in the capital Yerevan would continue working within the EAEU until a choice between the two blocs “becomes unavoidable”, noting that any referendum before Armenia formally applies for EU candidate status remains purely theoretical.
“Putting a theoretical choice to a referendum is, of course, neither very sensible nor justified,” Pashinyan said, describing ties with Russia as being in a “transformation phase”.
Q&A
Why did Armenia reject Russia's demand for a referendum?
Armenia rejected the demand as 'unreasonable' amid increasing economic and diplomatic pressure from Russia.
What is the significance of the EAEU summit in Kazakhstan for Armenia?
The EAEU summit highlighted tensions between Armenia and Russia, with calls for a referendum on EU membership intensifying.
What did Putin warn Armenia about regarding EU membership?
Putin warned Armenia against pursuing EU membership, suggesting it could lead to a situation similar to Ukraine's conflict.
What are the implications of Armenia looking to the West?
Armenia's shift towards the West may strain its traditional alliance with Russia and impact regional geopolitical dynamics.
