EAEU, EU and referendum: What did Pashinyan and Putin discuss?

Russian President Vladimir Putin:

“Dear Nikol Vovayevich, dear friends, I am very pleased to see you.

“First of all, I would like to emphasise the main point, and that is precisely where I would like to begin: we have always supported, and continue to support, the development of friendly, mutually beneficial relations with Armenia based on the principles of strategic partnership and allied relations. We proceed from the understanding that this corresponds to the fundamental interests of the Armenian people and the fundamental interests of Russia. And I will not repeat what you and I have noted many times: it also corresponds to the historical roots that bind our two peoples.

“Russia is Armenia’s main trade and economic partner, accounting for around 30%, and is also an investor in the Armenian economy. In the first half of this year, trade turnover amounted to $2.5 billion.

“Mutually beneficial projects are being implemented in industry and agriculture, mining, peaceful nuclear energy, transport and the digital economy. Russian companies are among the largest taxpayers to Armenia’s budget, creating jobs, transferring modern technologies and strengthening the country’s energy security.

“I would also like to note that you and I have repeatedly discussed issues related to Armenia’s declared intention to join the European Union. We have addressed this topic many times, both during telephone conversations and at in-person meetings.

“You are well aware of Russia’s position: Armenia’s aspiration to join the EU is the natural and legitimate right of the country and its people. Armenia is a sovereign state, and it is the Armenian people who will determine the direction of its development. However, this undoubtedly creates difficulties with regard to remaining in the Eurasian Economic Union and threatens to nullify the Republic’s advantages in the Eurasian Economic Union market and disrupt established trade chains.

“Meanwhile, during more than 10 years of participation in Eurasian integration processes, Armenia’s GDP has almost tripled: in 2015, it amounted to $10.6 billion, while according to the results of 2025, it reached $29.2 billion — at least according to our statistics. Exports to Eurasian Economic Union countries have increased tenfold, and today the Union’s market accounts for around 36% of Armenia’s foreign trade turnover.

“Therefore, of course, the Armenian people must clearly express their position on the choice of the country’s future political and economic course. At the same time, as we have said, it is important to approach the relevant steps entirely objectively and on the basis of realities.

“I repeat once again: we will respect any choice made by the Armenian people. Whatever Armenia decides, that is how it will be. But we must bring our trade and economic policy into line with those possible decisions, and we would like to ask you to provide clarity on this issue as soon as possible.

“I remember that you publicly said that you considered it necessary to hold a referendum on this issue in the future, and I supported your position at the latest summit of the leaders of the Eurasian Economic Union. I specifically mentioned that Prime Minister Nikol Vovayevich Pashinyan had publicly stated this and also asked our colleagues to support it. The sooner we have clarity, the better, because we also need to understand how to develop relations with Armenia, first and foremost in economic terms.

“Regulatory issues — for example, those related to agricultural products, various technical regulations and standards — are completely different in the Eurasian Economic Union and the EU. We have encountered this many times. Attempts, even back when our relations with the Europeans were more or less normal, to reach some kind of compromise with them produced no results, no results at all. They are rather tough negotiators, quite persistent. And we were unable to find a way to resolve almost any issue.

“At some point, we will probably still have to do this, bearing in mind the fundamental interests of both our economy and the European economy, which in some respects complement each other. I hope that all these crisis phenomena will pass one day. But even when they do… We had good relations with Europe, yet reaching agreements was very difficult. And in this regard, problems will undoubtedly arise concerning European goods, services and so on entering our market through Armenia. There are thousands of issues involved. We would like to understand what is going to happen in this area.

“I hope that we will now discuss all these issues in a calm, friendly and businesslike atmosphere.”

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan:

“Thank you very much, Vladimir Vladimirovich. First of all, I am very pleased about this meeting and this opportunity, because many issues have indeed accumulated that need to be discussed.

“First and foremost, I would like to confirm that we are interested in the further development and deepening of our relations with the Russian Federation.

“It must also be noted that over recent years, the situation throughout our region and around Armenia has changed, and it seems to us that the situation should be viewed precisely from this perspective, because relations between Russia and Armenia had a different meaning in a conflict situation, whereas now, when peace has been established in the region, it seems to us that the situation should be viewed with a fresh perspective.

“And I believe this will contribute to the development of our relations. We mean the deepening and development of our relations, and this is very important.

“You mentioned the Russian enterprises operating in Armenia, and I must say — and we discussed this issue today — that many Russian companies operate very successfully in the Republic of Armenia. These are highly profitable companies. You are right, they pay taxes, but these companies should also be divided into two groups. There are companies that operate successfully, meaning they are profitable and developing, but there are also companies that, unfortunately, are not profitable and are not developing. And I think this is a problem for both Armenia and the Russian Federation. This is also an issue that should be examined and discussed, including these nuances.

“As for the EU, you know that this issue is widely discussed both at the working level and publicly. You know that last year we adopted a law on launching the process of Armenia’s accession to the European Union, and there has been considerable discussion about the extent to which the adoption of this law complies with our obligations within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union.

“Both before and after that, we analysed the existing treaty framework between the Russian Federation and Armenia, as well as the treaty framework within the Eurasian Economic Union, and, frankly speaking, we did not identify any violation of Armenia’s obligations towards the Russian Federation and the Eurasian Economic Union, because the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union also directly sets out how to proceed if a country decides to leave the Eurasian Economic Union.

“Incidentally, there is no provision there under which a member state can be removed from the organisation. In other words, it provides that if a country decides to leave the Eurasian Economic Union, it must notify its partners six months in advance. I think we should view this situation precisely from this perspective.

“At present, we have not informed our partners that we are preparing to leave the Eurasian Economic Union. I think we should proceed precisely from this fact, because the issue of a referendum has been widely discussed in this regard.

“Frankly speaking, the adoption of the law already meant abandoning the idea of a referendum, because if parliament had not adopted this law at the time — I would like to remind you that this law was initiated by civil society, meaning that they collected the signatures of Armenian citizens in accordance with the Constitution and submitted the draft to parliament.

“If parliament had not adopted this law, the initiators could have collected another 250,000 signatures, and if parliament had rejected it again, we would have had to hold a referendum in the Republic of Armenia. In other words, by adopting this law, it turns out that we abandoned the idea of a referendum.

“And why did we abandon it? Because this issue — and I have had the opportunity to speak with you about it — had not yet matured to the point where it would have been possible to formulate a question to put before our people.

“Why did we adopt this law at all? First, in order not to hold a referendum, and second, as I have repeatedly said publicly, it is very important for us that our country and our people have alternatives. I believe this is a legitimate objective.

“This does not mean that we are dissatisfied with the Eurasian Economic Union, although there are many working issues within the EAEU. We always discuss them, both strategic and tactical issues.

“We simply believe that, particularly in the current international situation, it is legitimate for any state, any country, to have alternatives. Incidentally, we discussed this today as well; the theme of the SCO summit was a multipolar world order. In other words, having alternatives is considered a legitimate objective for a state and a country.

“And this process is not directed against Russia, nor is it directed against the Eurasian Economic Union, because we highly value our relations with the Russian Federation. This is indeed, as you have already mentioned, extremely important for us and for our country. We hope that these relations are also important for the Russian Federation.

“And I think that both the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation, as well as we personally, should treat these relations with great care. I would like to confirm that I personally, and our Government, treat these relations with great care, and I am confident that you also treat these relations with great care. I would like to thank you for that.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin:

“Dear Nikol Vovayevich, we will discuss this now. I always find it interesting to discuss any topic with you, including this one, but on the main issue, nevertheless, allow me to disagree with you.

“You said that you have not announced your withdrawal. The adoption of a law on launching the procedure for joining another economic organisation essentially amounts to an announcement of withdrawal from our organisation, because membership of both at the same time is incompatible. That is the issue.

“Well, let us now calmly discuss all of this.”

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan:

“I think — and I also say this publicly — that we understand that the time will come when it will be necessary to make a very clear choice. Our position is simply that this time has not yet come. At present, we do not need to make that choice because, in essence, we currently have no alternative; that alternative has not actually been created.

“When it is created, if it is created, then, of course, we will make a choice, through a referendum or without a referendum. There are such options as well. I will gladly continue this conversation with you and answer all your questions.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin:

“I agree that people should always have the opportunity to choose. Well then, create that opportunity and let us close the issue. That is all. The simplest thing now is to turn to the people and ask them: what do you want — this way or that way? And that is all.

“All right, we will talk now.”