Armenia announces plans to seek EU membership, prompting swift Russian response, Euronews says

Nikol Pashinyan laid out Yerevan’s decision to formally apply for EU membership “in the near future” and to call for a national referendum, challenging Russia’s regional influence and setting the stage for a historic geopolitical shift, Euronews writes.

After signing the peace process in August 2025, Armenia and Azerbaijan embarked on a future of economic cooperation and stability that the two former foes are forging ahead together on their own, with significant EU and US participation.

Armenia’s economy still relies on Russian energy and infrastructure, but in another surprise move on Monday, Pashinyan asked Moscow to give up its monopoly concession of Armenian railways which runs until 2038 so that Yerevan can integrate its rail into international networks, with either Kazakhstan or the UAE as possible investors.

Russia responded swiftly to Pashinyan’s historic statements, with the Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announcing that Armenia’s departure from the CSTO may trigger what he called “deep trade contradictions that will primarily harm Armenia.”