Russia recalls ambassador to Armenia amid escalating EU tensions
President Vladimir Putin warns of economic consequences and calls for a referendum as diplomatic ties fracture over Armenia’s westward shift.
Russia has recalled its ambassador to Yerevan, S. Kopyrkin, for consultations, citing Armenia’s moves to strengthen ties with the European Union. The decision follows direct warnings from President Vladimir Putin against Armenia seeking EU membership, which he likened to the "Ukrainian scenario." Moscow argues that Armenia's rapprochement with Brussels undermines its membership in the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU).
The recall occurred on Saturday, one day after Putin’s comments at an EEU summit in Astana, Kazakhstan. During the summit, Putin called for Armenia to hold a swift referendum on whether its citizens wish to remain in the EEU or advance EU accession talks. He stated that halting gas supplies and banning exports could cause Armenia to lose at least 14% of its GDP.
EEU leaders have warned of risks to economic security and are preparing reports on the potential suspension of Armenia's EEU membership. Russia has also threatened to halt cheap natural gas supplies and ban Armenian agricultural exports, including brandy, fruit, and vegetables. These measures reflect Moscow's stance that Armenia cannot maintain membership in both the EU and the EEU.
Armenia, which has pivoted towards the West following conflicts with Azerbaijan, has not yet formally applied for EU candidacy but intends to do so. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government has declared its intention to make a membership bid, following an Armenia-EU summit in May which Brussels described as a "leap forward" in ties.
The shift in Yerevan’s foreign policy follows Armenia’s defeat in 2020 and 2023 wars with Azerbaijan, which led to the effective dissolution of the breakaway republic of Nagorno-Karabakh. Yerevan froze its membership in the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in 2024, citing a failure by member states to honour mutual defense obligations. Armenia has also agreed to a US-brokered peace deal to normalize relations with Azerbaijan.
