The Russian leader’s renewed proposal came despite several previous rejections by Pashinian, who has said that while striving to diversify its political and trade relations, including with the EU, Yerevan sees no urgent need for such a referendum at this stage.
Putin said Moscow needed clarity on Armenia’s intentions and argued that membership in the EU and the EEU is incompatible because of their differing economic and tariff policies.
“The sooner Armenia decides on the EU accession issue, the better. Moscow needs to understand how to develop its relations further,” Putin told Pashinian during the part of their talks streamed online.
The meeting, held on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, was the first between the two leaders since Pashinian’s reelection as prime minister. Putin did not publicly congratulate Pashinian on his reelection amid growing tensions between Moscow and Yerevan over what Russia sees as Armenia’s increasing Westward tilt.
Putin referred to Armenia’s 2025 law on commencing the process of accession to the EU, saying that the adoption of legislation initiating membership in another economic organization effectively amounts to a declaration of withdrawal from the EEU.
“The Armenian people must be given the opportunity to choose,” he said.
The EEU also includes Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Pashinian again made clear that his government is not prepared to hold such a referendum yet.
“This issue is not yet ripe enough to be put to a referendum,” he said.
“It is important to us that our country should have alternatives. This is our legitimate right. But it does not mean that we are dissatisfied with the EEU, although there are some problems there as well,” Pashinian added.
He insisted that Armenia’s law on starting the EU accession process does not violate the nation’s obligations to the EEU. He also noted that any withdrawal from the bloc would require six months’ notice, which Armenia has not given.
“The situation should be regarded from this standpoint,” Pashinian said.
The latest Pashinian-Putin talks took place amid rising tensions between the two countries, including over trade restrictions Russia imposed on Armenia several months ago. The Armenian government has described those measures as unreasonable and contrary to EEU rules.
Kremlin officials had also said before the meeting that Putin would raise the recent arrests of Armenian opposition figures critical of the Armenian government’s policies, including its efforts to move closer to the West.
No such remarks were made during the streamed portion of the discussions.
One day before the Bishkek talks, Putin sent a birthday message to jailed former Armenian President Robert Kocharian, wishing him “spiritual strength and resilience in the face of the challenges that you and your family are currently facing.”
Many observers in Armenia interpreted the tone of that message as a sign of Kremlin support for Kocharian, who leads the second largest opposition alliance represented in the Armenian parliament.