Putin Pressures Pashinyan for Referendum on EU and EAEU Ties

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 27, 2026, to seek the removal of Russian import restrictions on Armenian goods. Since May, Russia has banned various Armenian agricultural and dairy products and halted the transit of Armenian goods to other Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states. Pashinyan argued these measures violate the bilateral legal framework and EAEU norms.

In response, Vladimir Putin urged Pashinyan to hold a national referendum as soon as possible to decide between Armenia's potential accession to the European Union and its continued membership in the EAEU. Pashinyan countered that such a referendum is only practical after Armenia submits an official membership application to the European Union.

The dispute occurs as Armenia deepens ties with Western institutions, prompting warnings from Russia that the country could be suspended from the EAEU. Following the call, Armenian official Tigran Abrahamyan warned that Moscow is raising the stakes and may have set a deadline for Armenia to respond to these demands, suggesting that ordinary citizens are bearing the brunt of the escalating confrontation.