Russia views EU integration petition in Armenia as beginning of EAEU exit

Moscow considers Yerevan’s decision to launch the process of the EU (European Union) entry as a start of Armenia’s withdrawal from the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), TASS reported citing the Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk. 

"They (Armenia - TASS) say that they do not plan to withdraw from EAEU. But what is the specificity of the situation?" TASS quoted the Russian official as saying. "The fact that Armenia is getting closer to the European Union has long been discussed, but on January 9, 2025, the government of Armenia took a legally meaningful step as it supported the bill announcing the launch of the process of the EU entry. This is the peculiarity of the situation. It was a decision by the Armenian government, and we consider it as a start of Armenia’s withdrawal from EAEU," Overchuk said.

"It rests with the Armenian government to take further steps. They argue either that there is no such an issue on the Armenian government’s agenda, or that they do not want or plan to withdraw [from EAEU], or that they will revise where it will be better for them. Let’s see how the situation will unfold," he said.

"The growth of trade and economy of Armenia in recent years demonstrates that Armenia is the main beneficiary of the EAEU membership," Overchuk added.