Vladislav Maslennikov, Director of the European Affairs Department at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, commented on Armenia’s intent to move closer to the European Union, stressing that while Russia respects the sovereign rights of other nations, it hopes Yerevan is aware of the possible negative consequences of accelerated integration with Brussels. His comments were reported by TASS.

Maslennikov warned that “the EU may eventually demand political alignment from Armenia against Russia.”

“Armenian leadership has clearly shown its interest in maximum rapprochement with the EU. Within this effort, in April 2025, President Vahagn Khachaturyan signed the law ‘On initiating the process of Armenia’s accession to the European Union,’ previously approved by parliament,” he stated.

While affirming Russia’s respect for countries’ rights to pursue integration and economic development, Maslennikov said that Armenia’s EU aspirations are concerning in light of Brussels' anti-Russian stance and the bloc’s ongoing transformation into an aggressive military-political alliance.

He argued that, as a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), Armenia should be aware of how fast-track alignment with Brussels could negatively affect both bilateral ties with Russia and broader post-Soviet integration.

Maslennikov also stated that simultaneous membership in both the EEU and EU is fundamentally impossible.

“Brussels is already pushing Yerevan to adopt its standards, disregarding Armenia’s EEU obligations. Eventually, the EU begins requiring total foreign policy alignment from candidates, and at this stage, that policy is clearly anti-Russian. I hope Yerevan understands that complying with Brussels’ demands does not guarantee EU membership,” he added.

He pointed to the example of the Western Balkans — Albania (since 2000), North Macedonia (since 2004), Montenegro (since 2008), and Serbia (since 2009), which have waited decades for EU accession despite meeting strict and often unpopular conditions.

Maslennikov also questioned whether EU membership brings prosperity, citing Baltic countries’ underwhelming economic and demographic data 20 years after joining the Union.

On December 2, 2025, Armenia and the EU signed a strategic partnership agenda in Brussels during the 6th Armenia-EU Partnership Council session. The document was signed by Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas.