The Armenian government has officially launched the process of applying for membership in the European Union. This step marks the final stage of Yerevan’s turn away from Moscow and toward the West, the press service of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine reports.
What is known about Armenia’s attempts to escape Kremlin influence?
Russia tried to stop Yerevan’s European integration course by banning the import of Armenian apricots, cherries, fish, Jermuk water, and cognac. However, instead of concessions, Armenia began actively seeking new markets, and the European Union provided the country with financial support within the framework of the Growth Plan.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stressed that the paralysis of the Eurasian Economic Union due to Russia’s actions could be the beginning of the end of this organisation.
According to SZRU, if Moscow tries to use gas blackmail, Yerevan could bill it for approximately $2 billion for hosting the 102nd Russian military base and managing the country’s railway network.
Recall that Russia’s attempts to increase pressure on Armenia sharply intensified in 2026 against the backdrop of Yerevan’s course towards rapprochement with the European Union and the United States.
Moscow uses a whole range of levers for this purpose — from energy blackmail to attempts to influence the domestic political situation in the country and intimidation with a possible “Ukrainian scenario.”
In particular, the Kremlin threatened Armenia with the cancellation of the preferential price for Russian gas in the event of further European integration. At the same time, Western and Ukrainian intelligence agencies reported large-scale Russian attempts to interfere in the country’s internal processes, including through disinformation, voter bribery, and support for pro-Russian political forces.
Earlier, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that Yerevan has reason to no longer consider Russia a strategic partner, as Moscow and the CSTO failed to fulfill security obligations to the country during the escalation in 2022.
Armenia also does not plan to resume active participation in the CSTO in the coming years and continues its course towards a balanced foreign policy, in particular by considering the beginning of the process of accession to the EU.
In addition, Yerevan previously emphasised that a nationwide referendum on EU accession would be held immediately after the roadmap is agreed with Brussels.
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