Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk has stated that Armenia will eventually be forced to choose between membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and closer alignment with the European Union (EU), as he considers the two integration blocs incompatible.

“Regarding Armenia’s rapprochement with the European Union, we’ve spoken about this many times. We believe that simultaneous membership in both integration unions is incompatible. At some point, the people of Armenia will have to make a choice. That choice belongs to them,” he said, as reported by TASS.

Overchuk also noted a sharp drop in economic relations between Russia and Armenia this year.

“Last year, our mutual trade turnover reached $15.4 billion. This year, it will likely be around $6 billion, which is a very noticeable decline,” he added.

On December 2, following the sixth Armenia–EU Partnership Council meeting in Brussels, Armenia and the European Union signed a strategic partnership agenda. The document was signed by Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas.