Russia says Armenia has “better future” with EAEU than EU

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has stated that Armenia gains greater economic and developmental benefits from its membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) than it would from moving toward European integration.

“The EAEU is more beneficial. They earn more money from the EAEU, they have a better future with the EAEU, and they develop faster with the EAEU. The same will not happen with Europe,” Peskov told the Izvestia newspaper.

Peskov emphasized that, in any case, it is up to the Armenian people to decide which path to follow. He also cited Russian President Vladimir Putin’s statement that what benefits Armenians is likewise beneficial for Russia.

Armenia, a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), was earlier notified by its other member states—Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan—that they would like to see a referendum in Armenia choosing between remaining in the EAEU or withdrawing and moving toward the European Union. The developments come amid growing ties between Armenia and the EU, which Armenia says do not currently contradict its EAEU membership.

In response, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on June 1 that Armenia will continue working within the Eurasian Economic Union framework until the point when choosing between the European Union and the EAEU becomes unavoidable. He noted that there are currently no grounds for holding such a referendum, as Armenia’s European integration process is not yet at a stage where citizens can be presented with a clear choice. “Until the point when Armenia has either officially applied for EU membership or is very close to obtaining candidate status, holding any referendum would be unreasonable,” Pashinyan said.