Putin pressures Armenia over EU membership aspirations

During the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek, Russian President Vladimir Putin pressured Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan regarding Armenia's pursuit of European Union membership. Putin stated that while Armenia is a sovereign nation with the right to choose its partners, attempting to join the EU is technically incompatible with remaining in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) due to conflicting technical and phytosanitary standards.

Putin warned that Armenia's move toward the EU could jeopardize bilateral trade relations and effectively constitutes a withdrawal from the Russian-led EAEU. He emphasized that Moscow requires clarity on Yerevan's direction to determine the future of economic integration between the two nations.

Prime Minister Pashinyan responded by asserting that Armenia has not violated any obligations to Russia and has no intention of leaving the EAEU. He maintained that the country is pursuing European integration processes but suggested that a definitive choice between the two blocs may not be necessary at this time, noting that the people should ultimately decide their direction.