Russian deputy FM urges Armenia to make “historically correct choice”

Russia expects Armenia’s leadership to make a “historically correct choice” in favour of strengthening its “brotherly relations” with Moscow, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov has said.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Ryabkov said Armenian people have always benefited from relations with Russia, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

“I think recent events show that [Armenia] needs to make a choice. We expect that the choice will be historically correct in favour of strengthening traditional, deep, brotherly relations with Russia, from which the Armenian people have always benefited and, I am confident, will continue to benefit,” he noted.

Earlier, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin called on Armenia to make a conscious decision regarding its participation in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), taking into account all consequences of the choice.

In spring 2025, Armenia adopted a law expressing the country’s intention to pursue membership in the European Union, despite the bloc not having offered membership to the country.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made it clear that Yerevan understands the incompatibility of simultaneous membership in the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

However, he noted that Armenia would continue to align its agenda with both blocs for as long as possible.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov