Moscow urges Yerevan to weigh EAEU membership

PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Armenia’s current policy trajectory is leading to actions that contradict Russia’s interests.

Speaking on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and commenting on U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Armenia, Zakharova described the trip as another example of Yerevan deepening cooperation with Western countries.

“This is another concrete example of official Yerevan taking steps to strengthen cooperation with Western states. In practice, however, these steps are leading to specific actions directed against Russia’s interests,” she said, according to RIA Novosti.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin also commented on Armenia’s geopolitical orientation, saying the country should make a conscious decision regarding its membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

“Armenia must make an informed choice, understanding both the benefits and all possible consequences depending on the path it chooses,” Pankin said.

The issue was also discussed during the EAEU summit in Astana. On May 29, the leaders of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan adopted a joint statement saying they support the idea that Armenia should hold a nationwide referendum on whether to pursue membership in the European Union or remain within the EAEU framework.