Russia Pulls Ambassador From Armenia Over European Union Pivot

Putin's Warning and the Recall

Russia recalled its ambassador to Armenia on Saturday over the country's efforts to strengthen ties with the European Union. Ambassador S. Kopyrkin was summoned to Moscow for consultations following Armenia's shift toward Brussels, which the Russian Foreign Ministry said undermined cooperation within the Eurasian Economic Union, a Russian-led bloc that also includes Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. One day after the recall, Russian President Vladimir Putin tied Armenia's EU ambitions to what he called the "Ukrainian scenario." He stated that Moscow's military confrontation with Kyiv began after Ukraine sought closer European ties.

Armenia's Pivot Away From Moscow

Armenia historically maintained strong economic, diplomatic and security ties to Russia but has increasingly pivoted toward the West in recent years. The South Caucasus country held its first-ever summit with the EU in Yerevan earlier in May, which Brussels hailed as a "leap forward" in ties. Armenia's government began distancing itself from Moscow after defeats in wars with Azerbaijan in 2020 and 2023. Yerevan argued that Russia and allied members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization failed to defend Armenian territory. Yerevan froze its membership in the CSTO in 2024, saying member states had effectively abandoned their mutual defense obligations.

Economic Threats and Membership Pressure

Putin warned that Armenia cannot simultaneously maintain membership in both the EU and the Eurasian Economic Union. During an EEU summit in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana, on Friday, Putin called for Armenia to hold a swift referendum. The referendum would determine whether citizens wish to remain in the Moscow-led organization or pursue EU accession talks. 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 consequences of suspending Armenia's membership.

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For example, during the EEU summit in Kazakhstan, Putin specifically called for a swift referendum on Armenia's membership in the Moscow-led organization or pursuing EU accession talks.

Russia has also threatened economic retaliation. Putin warned that halting natural gas supplies and banning Armenian agricultural exports could cause Armenia to lose at least 14 percent of its GDP. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's government has declared its intention to make an EU membership bid, though Armenia has not yet formally applied for candidacy.