Putin Urges Pashinyan to Hold EU Membership Referendum ‘As Soon as Possible’

In a telephone conversation initiated by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, President Vladimir Putin of Russia on Monday urged the Armenian leader to hold a national referendum on Armenia’s membership in the European Union or remaining in the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union.

According to the Kremlin, Putin reaffirmed the joint statement adopted on May 29 in Astana with the leaders of the three EEU member states on Armenia’s actions regarding joining the EU.

In the May statement, the leaders of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan issued an ultimatum to Armenia, threatening to suspend its membership in the EEU. The declaration cited the 2025 Armenian parliament approval of a government-backed measure to seek EU membership, as well as a reaffirmation by EU leaders in a declaration signed in Yerevan on May 5.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters the Putin-Pashinyan conversation on Monday “focused on the statement recently adopted by the leaders of the Eurasian Economic Union countries on Armenia. The need to hold a referendum in Armenia as soon as possible to decide which direction Armenia wants to go was emphasized.”

Weeks before the Astana meeting, during his speech at a Victory Day celebration, which Pashinyan did not attend, Putin had proposed what he called a “mutually beneficial divorce” with Armenia, given Yerevan’s mixed signals about joining the EU and remaining in the EEU.

According to an Armenian government statement, the referendum reference in the EEU declaration would be practically possible only after Armenia officially submits an application for EU membership, making the issue a concrete matter for consideration.

The statement from Pashinyan’s office said the conversation focused on challenges affecting economic relations between Moscow and Yerevan.

Ahead of the June 7 parliamentary elections, Russia created roadblocks and placed sanctions on imports from Armenia, especially agricultural products, citing safety concerns. These steps have created challenges for Armenian exporters. The EU provided a multi-million euro package to Armenia and eased import restrictions to allow the flow of Armenian products in the European market.

According to the Armenian government, Pashinyan stressed that restrictions on the export of Armenian products to the Russian market contradict the legal and contractual framework governing Armenia-Russia relations, as well as the EEU regulations. He reportedly asked the Russian president to take steps to resolve the issue.

Pashinyan also reaffirmed the Armenian government’s readiness to address these issues through open, constructive and friendly dialogue with its partners.

Moscow has not yet congratulated Pashinyan or the ruling Civil Contract Party on their election victory.