Russian MFA notes contradictions in Armenia’s statements on EU membership referendum

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Moscow has drawn attention to what it describes as contradictions in Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's statements concerning a possible referendum on EU membership, while also accusing Yerevan of using blackmail in its relations with Russia. The remarks were made by senior Russian diplomats in early August 2025.

Coverage Comparison

Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, in comments reported by TASS on August 11, highlighted inconsistencies in Pashinyan's public positions on whether Armenia should hold a referendum on joining the European Union or remain in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Galuzin pointed to Article 205 of the Armenian Constitution, which he said requires the government to initiate any referendum on joining a supranational international organization. However, he added that during the 2025 parliamentary debate on a law initiating Armenia's EU accession process, Armenian officials argued that the law did not require a referendum, describing it as a political declaration with no legal significance.

Earlier, on August 6, Alexey Fadeyev, deputy director of the information and press department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, told a briefing that Russia sees Armenia's attempts to "raise the stakes or simply resort to blackmail" in its relations with Moscow, according to TASS.

Key Claims

• Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said that Article 205 of the Armenian Constitution mandates that the government initiate any referendum on joining a supranational international organization.
• Galuzin noted that during the 2025 debate on the law initiating Armenia's EU accession, Armenian officials stated that the law did not require a referendum because it was merely a political declaration.
• Galuzin remarked that Pashinyan's election campaign included "diametrically opposite and contradictory statements," including admissions that Armenia had not been invited to the EU and might never join.
• The Armenian parliament adopted a law initiating the republic's accession to the EU on March 26, 2025, as reported by TASS.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that integration into the EU would automatically entail the cessation of Armenia's cooperation with the EAEU, according to TASS.
• Alexey Fadeyev accused Armenia of harassment of pro-Russian figures and threats of arbitration proceedings against Russian companies operating in Armenia.
• Fadeyev also referred to demands for Moscow to pay billions of dollars for facilities that Armenian authorities "did not want to recede at the dawn of their political activities."

Context

TASS reported that Armenia has recently been moving toward EU membership. On March 26, 2025, the Armenian parliament adopted a law initiating accession to the EU. Pashinyan has said that Yerevan does not intend to withdraw from the EAEU and hopes to combine membership in both organizations as long as possible. Putin, however, has said that EU integration would automatically end Armenia's cooperation with the EAEU, resulting in the loss of associated preferences.

Galuzin also noted that leaders of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan have called for ascertaining the opinions of Armenian citizens on the matter, suggesting a concrete question: whether Armenians are ready to withdraw from the EAEU for the uncertain prospect of joining the EU.