Armenia Moves Toward EU Membership Amid Growing Rift With Russia

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told the National Assembly that Armenia will soon begin the formal process of applying for European Union membership. He said a national referendum on accession will be held after the EU receives the application, and that the government will await Brussels’ response before mapping out negotiation steps. Pashinyan also indicated that Armenia would remain in the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) for now, but expressed a desire for the alliance to release Yerevan from its membership.

EuronewsKyiv Independent

Armenia has been a CSTO member since the post-Soviet era, relying on Russia for security guarantees. The 2024 war with Azerbaijan exposed limits to Russian support, prompting Yerevan to reassess its strategic orientation. In 2025, a peace agreement with Azerbaijan opened pathways for economic cooperation involving the EU and the United States. Earlier this year, President Vahagn Khachaturyan signed legislation to start the EU accession process, a symbolic step reflecting public aspirations. Simultaneously, Russia has withdrawn its ambassador and threatened to cancel a 2013 duty-free gas and petroleum export agreement, while warning of a “Ukrainian scenario” should Armenia deepen ties with the West.

Kyiv IndependentEuronews

European Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert emphasized that EU enlargement is merit-based and that the Union is already working to improve connectivity and trade with Armenia. President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that bilateral ties with Armenia are becoming “more constructive.”

Kyiv Independent

• “I would be very glad if the organisation decided to remove the Republic of Armenia from the Collective Security Treaty Organisation,” — Nikol Pashinyan, Armenian Prime Minister

Euronews

• “If Yerevan no longer needs membership in such an important organization for ensuring regional security due to its national interests, it is free to make the corresponding decision and leave this organisation,” — Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson

Euronews

• “We may begin this process in the near future, especially given the urgent requests from our EAEU partners,” — Nikol Pashinyan, Armenian Prime Minister

Kyiv Independent