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A Russian-led economic union of former Soviet republics said it would consider suspending Armenia over Yerevan’s push toward European Union membership, while calling on the country to hold a referendum on whether to join the EU or remain in the Eurasian Economic Union.
The joint statement was issued after an EAEU summit in Astana by the leaders of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. They said Armenia’s preparations for EU integration posed “significant risks” to the economic security of the bloc.
The leaders said representatives of their governments would report at the next meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in December 2026 on the possible consequences of suspending the EAEU treaty for Armenia.
The leaders of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan said Armenia should hold a nationwide referendum as soon as possible on whether to join the EU or continue as part of the EAEU.
They said damage to the bloc linked to Armenia’s EU accession process should be prevented.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan did not attend the Astana summit, citing his campaign ahead of parliamentary elections on June 7. Armenia was represented by Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan.
Pashinyan has sought closer ties with the EU and the U.S. while publicly criticizing Moscow.
Armenia’s parliament passed a law on March 26, 2025, officially launching the country’s EU accession process. Pashinyan has said Yerevan does not intend to leave the EAEU and hopes to combine membership in the bloc with EU integration for as long as possible.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said after the Astana summit that if Armenia moves toward the EU, the EAEU would be forced to scale back nearly all integration work with Yerevan in the economic sphere.
Putin said Russia and Armenia have a “special relationship,” and that Armenians must decide which direction their country should take.
“Whatever decisions are made, this will not damage our humanitarian ties; it will not damage our political ties,” Putin said. “Everything needs to be weighed up, carefully considered and a decision made.”
Putin has previously said EU integration would automatically end Armenia’s interaction with the EAEU and the benefits Yerevan has received through membership in the bloc.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov earlier pointed to what he described as the benefits Armenia receives from EAEU membership, including stable annual growth and a lower gas price. He said European gas costs $600 per 1,000 cubic meters, while Russian gas costs $177.5.
Russia has increased economic pressure on Armenia in recent weeks, imposing temporary restrictions on agricultural imports and threatening to halt supplies of cheap Russian oil products and gas.
The June 7 election pits Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party, which has sought closer ties with the EU and the U.S., against mostly pro-Russian opposition parties.
Recent polls show Civil Contract leading with around 30% support.
Russia accounted for about 35% of Armenia’s foreign trade last year, while the EU accounted for roughly 11%, according to government statistics cited by Armenian media.
Armenia also bought 82% of its gas from Russia last year.
Suspension from the EAEU would create immediate shocks for Armenia’s economy, a country of around 3 million people.
Armenia’s gross domestic product per capita was about half of Russia’s in 2024, according to World Bank data.
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