"Civilized Divorce" Postponed: Armenia in No Rush to Leave EAEU for European Dream
Political
The geopolitical equilibrium across the post-Soviet space has once again fractured as Yerevan finds itself wedged between Moscow’s stark economic warnings and the alluring prospects of European integration. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan delivered an emergency address aimed at defusing the diplomatic friction mounting since the EAEU summit in Astana. Against the backdrop of Vladimir Putin's declarations regarding a projected 14% drop in Armenia's GDP and signals of a "civilized divorce," the Armenian leader directly detailed why the nation is not yet positioned to anchor its future via a definitive national referendum.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan characterized holding a referendum to choose between the EU and the EAEU as illogical at this juncture. In a video address, he emphasized that because Yerevan has not formally applied for EU membership and remains distant from candidate status, the choice remains purely theoretical, rendering a plebiscite unreasonable. He added that the nation will steadily maintain its workflow within the EAEU, noting that its economic potential has not yet been exhausted.
The statement followed the May 29 EAEU summit in Astana, where bloc leaders urged Yerevan to finalize its geopolitical vector. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that exiting the EAEU could cost Armenia 14% of its GDP, floating the possibility of a "civilized divorce." In response, Pashinyan noted that ties with Moscow are sincere, free of "dark corners," and undergoing a positive phase of transformation, reiterating that a referendum would only be considered if an objective necessity arises.
The statement followed the May 29 EAEU summit in Astana, where bloc leaders urged Yerevan to finalize its geopolitical vector. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that exiting the EAEU could cost Armenia 14% of its GDP, floating the possibility of a "civilized divorce." In response, Pashinyan noted that ties with Moscow are sincere, free of "dark corners," and undergoing a positive phase of transformation, reiterating that a referendum would only be considered if an objective necessity arises.
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