Newsletters
Russian President Vladimir Putin has invited Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to Moscow for talks on Armenia’s future direction, including its potential integration with the European Union, the Kremlin confirmed on Monday.
Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Pashinyan accepted the invitation and would visit Moscow soon. The talks are expected to cover Armenia’s development and bilateral relations between Moscow and Yerevan.
The invitation comes after the two leaders met in Bishkek last week, where they discussed Armenia’s ties with Russia, its possible EU integration, railway infrastructure and the future of Russia’s military presence in the country.
During the meeting, Putin urged Armenia to decide "sooner" on joining the European Union, while stressing that Moscow needed greater clarity on the future of bilateral relations, particularly in economic areas.
Russia remained Armenia’s main trade and economic partner, Putin noted, with bilateral trade reaching $2.5 billion in 2026. He also pointed to Armenia’s economic gains since joining the Eurasian Economic Union, saying its GDP had tripled while exports to the bloc had increased tenfold.
Although Putin acknowledged Armenia’s right to pursue EU membership, he warned that doing so could create complications for its position in the Eurasian Economic Union, which Moscow considers incompatible with EU membership.
Pashinyan maintained that Armenia’s decision last year to adopt a law launching the EU accession process did not violate its obligations to Russia or the Eurasian Economic Union. Yerevan had not notified its partners of any decision to leave the bloc, he added.
The legislation, according to Pashinyan, was intended to give Armenia and its people alternatives rather than signal a move against Russia or the Eurasian Economic Union.
Armenia has been seeking closer ties with the EU while maintaining its membership in the Eurasian Economic Union. Moscow has warned that EU integration would ultimately be incompatible with Armenia’s participation in the bloc and could result in the loss of economic preferences linked to its membership.
The future of Russia’s military presence in Armenia was also discussed as the two countries reassessed their relationship.
Pashinyan said last week that Armenia did not consider Russia’s 102nd Military Base a vital necessity and would not object if Moscow decided to withdraw it.
"We have not raised the issue of the Russian military base even once during this period, and it is not the case that we consider the presence of the Russian 102nd Military Base on the territory of Armenia to be a vital necessity," Pashinyan said.
For Putin, the decision ultimately belonged to Armenia. Russia would leave if Yerevan decided the base was no longer needed, he indicated, while adding that Moscow would remain if Armenia’s population wanted a Russian military presence and that Russia was prepared to continue working with and cooperating with Yerevan.
The leaders also discussed Armenia’s railway infrastructure. Putin linked further investment to freight volumes, while the opening of additional routes could create new cargo flows and make further investment economically viable.
Pashinyan backed transferring Russia’s rights under the concession agreement for Armenia’s railways to a third country, describing it as the best option for Yerevan.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
