Zakharova: Armenia risks undermining relations with its EAEU partners due to its pro-EU policy
27.08.2026,
16:57
Armenia risks undermining relations with its EAEU partners due to its pro-EU policy, stated Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova.
YEREVAN, August 27. /ARKA/. Armenia risks undermining relations with its EAEU partners due to its pro-EU policy, stated Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova.
"The question of Armenia's possible accession to the European Union simply exposes a fundamental contradiction, primarily the direct incompatibility of the EU and EAEU legal frameworks. At the same time, Yerevan has still not deemed it necessary to coordinate its European integration aspirations with its EAEU partners, demonstratively attempting to simultaneously benefit from Eurasian integration and move toward the European Union," Zakharova noted at a briefing on Thursday.
According to her, such tactics by the Armenian authorities appear downright inappropriate.
"The Republic intends to gain the advantage of European Union membership without sacrificing its privileges within the EAEU. And perhaps, if the European Union weren't pursuing a completely destructive policy, directly and deliberately focused on undermining integration, economic, and cooperative ties within the aforementioned EAEU space, perhaps it would be possible to consider some possibilities. There is no such possibility because the European Union makes no secret of the fact that for it, the EAEU is not even an object of competition, but simply of destruction," Zakharova said.
She stated that this dual course has neither a political nor an economic basis and is fundamentally impossible to implement.
"If Armenia chooses to join the EU, it will inevitably have to give up its EAEU preferences. Moreover, after submitting an application for EU membership, Armenia will face profound contradictions within the EAEU, and unfortunately, Armenia will bear the brunt of these. "Moscow has repeatedly warned Yerevan that pursuing European integration will inevitably complicate relations with the EAEU, and that in the long term, Armenia risks not only failing to join the European Union but also irrevocably damaging relations with its EAEU partners, including Russia," Zakharova concluded.
According to her, Armenia's risks are greatly increased by the direct clash between the legal and economic regimes of the European Union and the EAEU.
Armenia between the EU and the EAEU
The Armenian authorities have declared a course toward rapprochement with the European Union and the transition to European standards, while declaring their intention to maintain membership in the EAEU as long as participation in the two integration areas remains compatible.
Moscow has repeatedly warned of the possible economic consequences of Armenia's transition to EU standards. Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that in such a case, Russia would have to curtail its economic integration with Armenia. He estimates that the republic could lose up to 14% of its GDP if energy prices rise after leaving the EAEU.
Armenia's Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, David Khudatyan, stated that gas supplies are currently secured, contacts with partners are ongoing, and potential risks to the country's economy remain manageable.
"The question of Armenia's possible accession to the European Union simply exposes a fundamental contradiction, primarily the direct incompatibility of the EU and EAEU legal frameworks. At the same time, Yerevan has still not deemed it necessary to coordinate its European integration aspirations with its EAEU partners, demonstratively attempting to simultaneously benefit from Eurasian integration and move toward the European Union," Zakharova noted at a briefing on Thursday.
According to her, such tactics by the Armenian authorities appear downright inappropriate.
"The Republic intends to gain the advantage of European Union membership without sacrificing its privileges within the EAEU. And perhaps, if the European Union weren't pursuing a completely destructive policy, directly and deliberately focused on undermining integration, economic, and cooperative ties within the aforementioned EAEU space, perhaps it would be possible to consider some possibilities. There is no such possibility because the European Union makes no secret of the fact that for it, the EAEU is not even an object of competition, but simply of destruction," Zakharova said.
She stated that this dual course has neither a political nor an economic basis and is fundamentally impossible to implement.
"If Armenia chooses to join the EU, it will inevitably have to give up its EAEU preferences. Moreover, after submitting an application for EU membership, Armenia will face profound contradictions within the EAEU, and unfortunately, Armenia will bear the brunt of these. "Moscow has repeatedly warned Yerevan that pursuing European integration will inevitably complicate relations with the EAEU, and that in the long term, Armenia risks not only failing to join the European Union but also irrevocably damaging relations with its EAEU partners, including Russia," Zakharova concluded.
According to her, Armenia's risks are greatly increased by the direct clash between the legal and economic regimes of the European Union and the EAEU.
Armenia between the EU and the EAEU
The Armenian authorities have declared a course toward rapprochement with the European Union and the transition to European standards, while declaring their intention to maintain membership in the EAEU as long as participation in the two integration areas remains compatible.
Moscow has repeatedly warned of the possible economic consequences of Armenia's transition to EU standards. Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that in such a case, Russia would have to curtail its economic integration with Armenia. He estimates that the republic could lose up to 14% of its GDP if energy prices rise after leaving the EAEU.
Armenia's Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, David Khudatyan, stated that gas supplies are currently secured, contacts with partners are ongoing, and potential risks to the country's economy remain manageable.
