Russia Recalls Ambassador to Armenia Over Growing EU Ties

Russia has recalled its ambassador to Armenia, S. Kopyrkin, to Moscow for consultations, citing Armenia's growing engagement with the European Union. The move signals Moscow's displeasure with Yerevan's pivot towards the West, which Russia views as undermining its cooperation within the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU).

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The Russian ambassador to the Republic of Armenia, S. Kopyrkin, has been recalled to Moscow for consultations on steps taken by the Armenian leadership on a rapprochement with the European Union, undermining cooperation within Eurasian Economic Union.

Armenia has historically maintained strong economic, diplomatic, and security ties with Russia. However, in recent years, the Caucasian nation has increasingly sought closer relations with Western countries. This shift was underscored by an Armenia-EU summit held earlier in May, which Brussels hailed as a significant advancement in their relationship. The EEU, a single market comprising Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, faces potential challenges from Armenia's EU aspirations.

Moscow has consistently warned that Armenia cannot maintain membership in both the EU and the EEU. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently drew parallels between the situation with Armenia and the "Ukrainian scenario." He asserted that Russia's conflict with Ukraine originated from Kyiv's pursuit of closer ties with the European Union. During a recent EEU summit, Putin urged Armenia to hold a referendum on its future alignment, questioning whether citizens wished to remain within the Moscow-led bloc or pursue EU accession talks.

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Moscow's military confrontation with Kyiv began after Ukraine began to seek closer ties to the European Union.

Leaders of the Eurasian bloc also expressed concerns at the summit, warning that Armenia's plans to apply for EU candidacy posed "significant risks" to their economic security. They directed officials to prepare a report on the potential consequences of suspending Armenia's EEU membership. Russia has further warned Yerevan of potential repercussions, including halting cheap natural gas supplies and banning imports of Armenian products, which could result in a significant economic blow, potentially impacting Armenia's GDP by at least 14%.

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The Eurasian bloc's leaders warned that Armenia's plans to apply for EU candidacy posed 'significant risks' for their economic security and ordered officials to prepare a report on the 'possible consequences of suspending' Armenia's membership in the EEU.