Armenia has no intention of leaving EAEU, understanding benefits of membership — Deputy PM

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Armenia has no intention of leaving the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and recognizes the benefits of membership, according to statements from Armenian and Russian officials ahead of and during the EAEU summit in Astana. The reaffirmation comes amid ongoing discussions about Yerevan's political pivot toward the European Union, which Russian officials say contradicts the bloc's ideals but does not affect Armenia's economic commitment.

Coverage Comparison

All coverage of this story comes from TASS, the Russian state news agency, which reported extensively on statements by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk, Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov, and Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan. While the reports are consistent in their factual content, they differ in emphasis: some focus on the economic statistics cited by Ushakov, others on the legal framework of the EAEU, and still others on the summit's political discussions.

Key Claims

Armenia's EAEU Commitment

Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan, speaking at the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meeting in Astana, reaffirmed his country's commitment to the union. "We have repeatedly reaffirmed Armenia's commitment to mutually beneficial cooperation within the Eurasian Economic Union aimed at ensuring economic stability and sustainable development of our countries and the region as a whole," he said, according to TASS. Grigoryan added that the republic is "determined to continue participating in the work of the Union in good faith, based on mutual respect, equal partnership, and consideration of the national interests of all member states."

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk told reporters that "Armenia, as we know, has no intention of leaving the Eurasian Economic Union." He said that Armenians are "very well aware of both the scope of preferences and the volume of trade with other EAEU member states," citing zero customs duties, harmonized standards, and technical regulations as key advantages.

Economic Benefits Cited

Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov, speaking ahead of President Vladimir Putin's trip to Astana, provided a detailed account of Armenia's economic gains since joining the EAEU. According to Ushakov, Armenia's GDP per capita has nearly doubled since 2014, from $11.6 billion to $20.2 billion. Real wages have increased by 50%, exports to EAEU countries have grown tenfold, and imports from EAEU countries have risen 4.5-fold. He also cited GDP growth figures: 12.6% in 2022, 8.7% in 2023, 5.9% in 2024, and 7.2% in 2025.

These figures were presented as evidence of the "colossal benefits" Armenia receives from membership, with Ushakov attributing the growth directly to Eurasian integration.

EAEU Membership Rules

Addressing questions about the possibility of Armenia's expulsion, Ushakov explained that under EAEU rules, no country can be expelled by decision of other members. "A possible option is when a country announces its decision to terminate cooperation due to these or those reasons," he said, as reported by TASS.

Armenia's EU Pivot

Overchuk acknowledged that Armenia's political course "contradicts" the EAEU's ideals, but noted that Yerevan remains in the union. He said Russia is monitoring EAEU regulations across member states, including Armenia, to detect any inconsistencies with union law. He also noted that Armenian media have discussed a transition to EU standards, adding that "obviously, some work is underway there," which could pose "a certain threat" if technical regulations are amended.

At the Astana summit, leaders of four EAEU countries adopted a statement that was handed to Grigoryan for delivery to Yerevan. The statement is set to be published on the Kremlin website. Ushakov confirmed that Armenia's pivot toward the EU was a major topic of discussion at the summit.

Perspectives

Armenian Perspective

Deputy Prime Minister Grigoryan's statements emphasize Armenia's commitment to the EAEU while stressing "mutual respect, equal partnership, and consideration of the national interests of all member states." His remarks suggest that Yerevan sees its EAEU membership as beneficial and intends to continue participating actively.

Russian Perspective

Russian officials, including Overchuk and Ushakov, frame Armenia's membership as economically advantageous and note that Yerevan understands this. At the same time, they acknowledge the political tensions arising from Armenia's EU pivot. Overchuk's comments about potential threats from EU-standard alignment indicate concern about the legal and regulatory implications of Armenia's dual-track approach.

EAEU Legal Framework

Ushakov's clarification that no country can be expelled from the EAEU contextualizes the debate: Armenia's membership cannot be revoked by other members, only by its own decision. This legal reality shapes the dynamics of the discussions, as both sides appear to recognize that continued membership rests on Armenia's voluntary choice.