Armenia takes another step away from Russia, despite Putin's anger

One foot into the EU

Euronews reports that the Armenian government has approved a bill to begin the process of joining the European Union. The proposal will now be submitted to the country's parliament for approval.

Referendum

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the decision would only come into effect after a national referendum.

The road to Brussels

Pashinyan stressed the importance of working together with Brussels. The Kyiv Independent cites the Armenian PM, arguing that if the law is passed, they must “discuss with the EU the road map that they imagine and that we imagine”.

Far from Russia

However, this is already the first step in the process of Armenia distancing itself from the influence of Russia, which is very present in the Caucasus countries. Putin was not pleased with the decision.

The first of many steps

“The bill states that the Republic of Armenia declares the beginning of the process to become a member of the European Union,” reads the document approved by the Cabinet of Ministers, according to Spanish newspaper El Confidencial, citing Armenian digital media.

Under Russia's shadow

Armenia, a former Soviet republic, is part of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Eurasian Economic Union, both organizations led by Russia.

No longer participating

According to France24, the prime minister put off Armenia's participation in the CSTO in January 2024, after accusing the organization of inaction in the war with Azerbaijan that led to the expulsion of Armenians from the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Switching sides?

Meanwhile, Russia has been trying to strengthen its ties with Azerbaijan, which has been at odds with Armenia for decades over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Russia and Azerbaijan

Vladimir Putin visited the Azerbaijani capital in the summer of 2024, on one of his few trips abroad since the start of the Ukrainian war in February 2022.

Armenia and the EU

Armenia already has a bilateral relationship with the European Union based on an association agreement signed in 2021.

Waiting for the EU

Following the Armenian government's decision, some say that Putin is quite unhappy with the decision. The Kremlin recently stated that it does not believe that the country can be a member of the EU and the Eurasian Economic Union at the same time. In any case, Russia will wait for the EU's position on the process.

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