Putin talks about a logical referendum on Armenia’s entry into the EU. He also hints at a possible peaceful separation of Yerevan from Russia and recalls the parallel with Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday that it would be “logical” for Armenia to hold a referendum on membership of the European Union. He made his comments after Armenia, a long-time ally of Russia, hosted the summit of the European Political Community (EPC). TASR informs about it according to the report of the AFP agency.
- Vladimir Putin described the referendum on Armenia’s membership in the European Union as logical.
- Putin proposed that Armenian citizens decide on their geopolitical direction in a referendum.
- The Russian president compared Armenia’s ambitions in the EU to the situation in Ukraine.
- Russia summoned the Armenian ambassador for the participation of Volodymyr Zelensky at the summit in Yerevan.
- Armenia froze membership in the OZKB after dissatisfaction with Russian support against Azerbaijan.
When asked about Yerevan’s ambitions to join the EU, Putin replied that it would be “quite logical to hold a referendum and ask the Armenian citizens what they prefer. Based on that, we would also make a decision.”
Putin and the parallel with Ukraine
“And then we would go down the path of a peaceful, civilized and mutually beneficial division,” Putin said.
AFP notes that the head of the Kremlin pointed to a parallel with Ukraine. “We are all now experiencing what is happening in connection with Ukraine. But how did it all begin? With Ukraine’s attempt to join the EU,” he declared.
On Monday, Armenia hosted dozens of country leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, at the EPC summit. Subsequently, a separate EU-Armenia summit was held in Yerevan on Tuesday.
Tension in relations with Russia
After these negotiations, Russia summoned the Armenian ambassador in Moscow to protest against Zelensky’s participation in the meeting.
Last year, Armenia adopted a law declaring its intention to apply for EU membership. However, the Russian president pointed out in April that Yerevan cannot be part of the European Union and at the same time the customs bloc led by Moscow.
AFP recalled that relations between the two countries have significantly deteriorated in recent years. Armenia froze its membership of the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in 2024 after accusing Moscow of failing to protect it in an armed conflict with Azerbaijan.
