Eurasian Economic Union Considers Suspending Armenia Over EU Ambitions

The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), a bloc dominated by Russia, is contemplating the suspension of Armenia. This move stems from Armenia's expressed desire to join the European Union, a prospect the EAEU views as a threat to its economic stability.

Leaders from Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Kyrgyzstan issued a statement following a summit in Astana, where Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was absent due to campaigning for upcoming parliamentary elections. They declared that Armenia's Western integration presents "a significant risk to the economic security of the EAEU." The alliance will decide Armenia's membership status at a December meeting.

The EAEU nations also urged Yerevan to hold a referendum on its EU aspirations, including an option to remain within the Moscow-led group founded in 2015. Russia, the bloc's largest economy, has recently intensified pressure on Armenia. This includes temporary restrictions on agricultural imports and threats to cut off vital supplies of subsidized Russian oil products and gas.

Prime Minister Pashinyan, who advocates for closer ties with the EU and the United States, faces a political landscape dominated by pro-Russian opposition parties in the June elections. His party, Civil Contract, currently leads in polls with about 30% support. Armenia's suspension from the EAEU would deliver an immediate economic shock to the nation of approximately three million people.

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western integration of Armenia represents a significant risk to the economic security of the EEAS