If Armenia joins the EU, it could "receive" customs duties and new gas prices - Overchuk
22.05.2026,
20:04
If Armenia decides to join the EU, Yerevan will lose some of its preferences, customs duties will arise, and gas prices will change, said Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk.
YEREVAN, May 22. /ARKA/. If Armenia decides to join the EU, Yerevan will lose some of its preferences, customs duties will arise, and gas prices will change, said Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk.
"They just need to understand where they're being led. So, well, if they make such a decision, we'll talk calmly with them. It's clear that customs duties will arise, gas prices will change, and energy prices will change. Well, they'll lose some benefits. Maybe they'll get something, maybe they won't," Overchuk said in an interview with Vesti News Agency, according to Interfax.
He emphasized that Moscow constantly hears about some $2 billion the EU is promising Yerevan.
"But he hasn't given anything yet. You know, it's like holding a carrot under their noses, that's what it looks like. We'll see, let them decide. We're in favor of Armenia remaining in the EAEU and continuing to prosper and develop at the same pace they've been doing for the past few years while they were in the EAEU," the Deputy Prime Minister said.
He recalled that Yerevan had passed a law on the republic's aspirations to join the EU. "And in this regard, of course, we're starting to have questions, because the European Union today is probably not the same union it used to be. In this regard, there's a proposal for them to decide quickly and hold a referendum, although, of course, we can't tell them, 'Hold a referendum,' that's their internal matter. Well, they'll decide and decide," Overchuk noted.
According to him, if Yerevan decides to leave, the conversation will be calm. "At the same time, Armenia is a country close to us, and the Armenians are a very close people, and they are a friendly people. I don't think they want to join a militarized Europe that practically wants to fight Russia," Overchuk said.
"They just need to understand where they're being led. So, well, if they make such a decision, we'll talk calmly with them. It's clear that customs duties will arise, gas prices will change, and energy prices will change. Well, they'll lose some benefits. Maybe they'll get something, maybe they won't," Overchuk said in an interview with Vesti News Agency, according to Interfax.
He emphasized that Moscow constantly hears about some $2 billion the EU is promising Yerevan.
"But he hasn't given anything yet. You know, it's like holding a carrot under their noses, that's what it looks like. We'll see, let them decide. We're in favor of Armenia remaining in the EAEU and continuing to prosper and develop at the same pace they've been doing for the past few years while they were in the EAEU," the Deputy Prime Minister said.
He recalled that Yerevan had passed a law on the republic's aspirations to join the EU. "And in this regard, of course, we're starting to have questions, because the European Union today is probably not the same union it used to be. In this regard, there's a proposal for them to decide quickly and hold a referendum, although, of course, we can't tell them, 'Hold a referendum,' that's their internal matter. Well, they'll decide and decide," Overchuk noted.
According to him, if Yerevan decides to leave, the conversation will be calm. "At the same time, Armenia is a country close to us, and the Armenians are a very close people, and they are a friendly people. I don't think they want to join a militarized Europe that practically wants to fight Russia," Overchuk said.
