Overview
- Four EAEU leaders issued a joint statement urging Armenia to hold a national referendum on joining the EU or remaining in the Eurasian Economic Union and handed the statement to Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan.
- The summit instructed officials to prepare a report for a December meeting on possible suspension of Armenia’s EAEU membership if Yerevan continues its EU course.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin said exiting the EAEU would raise energy prices for Armenia and cited an expert estimate of at least a 14% hit to Armenian GDP if it leaves.
- Moscow has already tightened economic pressure by imposing temporary bans on some Armenian agricultural imports and warning it could curb discounted oil and gas supplies that Yerevan relies on.
- The demand comes as Armenia pursues EU ties and prepares for a June 7 parliamentary vote and the EAEU seeks to bolster its appeal through deeper integration and new trade talks with partners such as India.