Nikol Pashinyan Rejects Immediate EU Membership and Russia Break

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that Armenia has no plans to sever relations with Russia, dismissing suggestions that the country could become a "second Ukraine." In an interview with Radio France Internationale, Pashinyan explained that while the nature of the relationship with Russia has changed as Armenia moves from conflict with Azerbaijan toward peace, the country continues to seek development of those ties.

Regarding European Union integration, Pashinyan clarified that Armenia is not currently ready to join the bloc and has not submitted a formal application for membership. He argued that applying simply for the sake of doing so would be illogical without first implementing the necessary reforms to meet membership criteria.

Because the government has not yet applied for membership, Pashinyan described holding a referendum on joining the EU or remaining in the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union as unrealistic for 2026. He maintained that while EU membership remains an option, the process requires a level of maturity and criteria fulfillment that Armenia has not yet reached.