Русский
Armenia has no plans to exit the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and the country’s possible removal from the organisation cannot be discussed in a unilateral format, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has said. The statement came after multiple European media outlets had stressed that Armenia was poised to join the European Union and preferred ties with Brussels over Moscow. The EAEU includes Russia as well as Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. It fills the geophysical space between Eastern Europe and Western China.
Mirzoyan said that “the issue of Armenia’s exit from the EAEU cannot be discussed until Armenia itself submits this request and voices this desire. We have not voiced this desire. Consequently, our possible removal cannot be discussed. The Armenian sovereign charter does not cater for this. Such an issue is not on our agenda.”
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk had earlier stated in response to European media suggestions over a tendency for Yerevan to seek rapprochement with the West that “Membership in the EAEU and the EU are incompatible. Armenia understands this very well.”
Any possibility of freezing Armenia’s EAEU membership cannot be discussed without Yerevan’s participation either,” Mirzoyan stated, adding that “it cannot happen.” It is not envisioned in the Armenian charter. The EAEU is an organisation that is governed by consensus decisions. How is it possible? On the contrary, we are committed to continuing this EAEU partnership.”
Armenia is looking for Russian investment to boost its nuclear energy sector, while bilateral trade has been somewhat erratic, mainly due to the threat of secondary sanctions on Yerevan. However, Moscow remains Yerevan’s principal trading and investment partner, accounting for over 36% of Armenia’s exports in 2025, with cooperation concentrated in consumer goods, food production, and key industrial sectors. Bilateral trade reached US$6.4 billion last year.
On May 20, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu said at a meeting of the Security Council’s special working group that Russia accounts for up to 98% of Armenia’s agricultural exports. “It is hardly possible to dispute the fact that cooperation with Russia is the main driver of Armenia’s economic growth. The development of economic ties with us has allowed Armenia’s GDP to grow by almost 40% from 2022 to 2025 alone,” Shoigu said.
The European Union is Armenia’s fourth-biggest trading partner, representing just 7.5% of Armenia’s total trade. Armenia does not have any natural border with the European Union.
