Russia says Armenia’s Western course harms its interests

Russia’s Foreign Ministry has criticised Armenia’s current political trajectory, warning that Yerevan’s deepening ties with Western countries are translating into actions that run counter to Russian interests.

Speaking on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Armenia’s policy direction was having tangible consequences.

“This is yet another example of concrete steps by official Yerevan to expand cooperation with Western countries... But in practice, these are steps that lead to concrete actions against Russian interests,” she said, according to Russian media.

Her remarks come against the backdrop of Armenia’s declared ambition to move closer to the European Union. In spring 2025, the country adopted legislation initiating the process of EU accession.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has acknowledged that Armenia cannot simultaneously be a member of both the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), but has said Yerevan aims to maintain engagement with both blocs for as long as possible.

At an EAEU summit in Astana on May 29, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Armenia’s potential withdrawal from the bloc could result in economic losses of around 14% of its gross domestic product.

The Kremlin has said that while Armenia’s pursuit of European integration is a sovereign decision, it should not come at the expense of the advantages the country derives from its membership in the EAEU.

By Tamilla Hasanova