Quick Read
- Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan against closer ties with the EU.
- Putin linked Armenia’s potential EU alignment to its energy security, referencing lower gas prices from Russia.
- Pashinyan stated that any definitive choice on geopolitical alignment would be made by Armenian citizens.
MOSCOW (Azat TV) – Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a stark warning to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Wednesday, asserting that Moscow would not tolerate Yerevan’s deepening ties with the European Union. The veiled threat was made during a rare and tense meeting at the Kremlin, where Putin explicitly linked Armenia’s geopolitical alignment to its energy security, particularly regarding Russian gas supplies.
Putin’s Warning on Dual Membership
“We see that discussions are underway in Armenia about developing relations with the European Union,” Putin stated, before adding, “But we must say frankly and honestly that membership in a customs union and with the EU, and with the Eurasian Economic Union, is impossible.” The Russian president made these remarks directly to Pashinyan in front of cameras, underscoring the gravity of Moscow’s position.
The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), established by Russia in 2015, includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, aiming for free movement of goods, capital, and labor among its members. Russia views the EAEU as a cornerstone of its economic and political influence in the post-Soviet space.
Gas Supplies as Leverage
During the Kremlin meeting, Putin also highlighted the significant price disparity in gas supplies, noting that Russia currently sells gas to Armenia at a substantially lower rate than the European Union. “Gas prices in Europe exceed $600 per thousand cubic meters, while Russia supplies gas to Armenia for $177.5 per thousand cubic meters,” he told Pashinyan, emphasizing the “huge, significant difference.” This statement implied that Armenia’s access to subsidized Russian gas could be jeopardized by its pursuit of closer ties with the EU.
Armenia’s Stance on Sovereignty
In recent times, particularly since reaching a peace agreement with Azerbaijan, Armenia has increasingly voiced its aspiration for closer relations with the EU, with Prime Minister Pashinyan even indicating future intentions to join the 27-member bloc. This shift reflects a broader reorientation for Armenia within the South Caucasus and a departure from its traditional sphere of Russian influence.
Responding to Putin’s ultimatum, Pashinyan acknowledged that Armenia cannot simultaneously be a member of both the EAEU and the EU. He conveyed that while Armenia could currently balance its participation in the economic union with developing ties with the European bloc, any definitive choice would be made by the citizens of Armenia, free from external interference. This assertion underscores Armenia’s commitment to its democratic process and national sovereignty.
The encounter signifies a critical juncture for Armenia’s foreign policy, forcing a choice between its historical security and economic ties with Russia and its growing aspirations for integration with Western structures. The leverage employed by Russia, particularly concerning energy, underscores the complex geopolitical pressures facing Yerevan as it navigates its post-conflict regional landscape.
Source: Euronews