Armenia is moving closer to the European Union despite threats from Moscow

The European Union has stated its readiness to examine "with interest" a potential application from Armenia. European Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho presented Yerevan's ambitions as further evidence of the attractiveness of the European project. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan indicated that his government could soon submit a formal application, without announcing a specific timeline.

This move would confirm the diplomatic shift undertaken by Armenia, a former Soviet republic long considered a privileged ally of Russia in the Caucasus. Yerevan is seeking to strengthen its ties with the West after several years of tension with Moscow. However, an application would not guarantee membership, which would require lengthy negotiations and the unanimous agreement of the European Union member states.

Moscow increases pressure on Yerevan

Russia believes that Armenian accession to the EU would be incompatible with the country's continued membership in the Eurasian Economic Union. Moscow therefore demands a referendum beforehand. Nikol Pashinyan, on the other hand, believes that a popular consultation would only be meaningful once the actual chances of accession have been assessed, which, according to him, requires first officially submitting the application.

This rapprochement with Brussels has already provoked Russian economic retaliation. Moscow has notably suspended imports of certain Armenian agricultural products, even though Russia is a crucial market for the country's producers. Yerevan will therefore have to weigh the economic and strategic consequences of its choice, caught between a still uncertain European integration and the gradual severing of a historic relationship with Moscow.