Yerevan is aware that joining the European Union would mean leaving the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and losing access to its market, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk stated.

"The solution here is quite obvious. Opening markets with the European Union would mean closing markets with the Eurasian Economic Union. Otherwise, our producers within the Eurasian Economic Union would suffer—this is evident," he said. Overchuk explained that lowering import tariffs with the EU would automatically reinstate customs duties with the EAEU.

"For us, this is clearly a signal that the beginning of accession to the European Union marks the beginning of an exit from the EAEU," he added, emphasizing that there should be no illusions about the consequences.

On January 9, Armenia’s government approved a proposal to start EU accession talks, with parliamentary discussions set for February 11-14.