Russian President Vladimir Putin attended a Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union summit on Friday (29 May) as tensions escalated with Armenia over its growing engagement with the European Union. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan did not attend, citing election campaigning ahead of June parliamentary polls.
Moscow signalled potential economic consequences, warning that gas, fuel and trade arrangements could be revised if Armenia continues its EU accession path. Russia also pressed for a referendum on whether Armenia should remain in the Eurasian bloc or pursue EU membership.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said Saturday (30 May) that it recalled its ambassador to Armenia for “consultations”.
“The Russian ambassador to the Republic of Armenia, S. Kopyrkin, has been recalled to Moscow for consultations about steps taken by the Armenian leadership on a rapprochement with the European Union, thus undermining cooperation within the Eurasian Economic Union,” the ministry said in an official statement, referring to the Moscow-led regional customs union.
Friction between traditional allies Russia and Armenia has grown since Azerbaijan regained control of the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023. Armenia accused Russia and its peacekeeping forces of failing to deter Baku’s military offensive and, in 2024, froze its participation in a Moscow-led regional security bloc.
ℹ️ FRANCE24, Bloomberg, The Moscow Times
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