---
title: "Pashinyan rejects Moscow's demand: Armenia will not hold a referendum on choosing between the EU and the EAEU"
description: "Nikol Pashinyan rejected the demand from CSTO and EAEU countries to hold a referendum on choosing between Russia and Europe. The Prime Minister stated that as long as Armenia does not become a candidate for the EU, raising the question of choice is illogical. In response, Moscow increased pressure, threatening economic sanctions and the \"Ukrainian scenario\" 🇦🇲🇪🇺🇷🇺"
date: 2026-06-01T12:38:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/pashinyan-rejects-moscows-demand-armenia-will-not-hold-referendum-on-choosing-between-eu-and-eaeu
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Pashinyan rejects Moscow's demand: Armenia will not hold a referendum on choosing between the EU and the EAEU

![Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in formal suit against Armenian flag, gesturing to emphasize country’s stance on EU vs EAEU referendum](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/01/pashinyan-otvergl-requirement-moscow-referendum/pashinyan-otvergl-requirement-moscow-referendum-1.webp)

In Yerevan, a comment was made on the harsh demand from CSTO and EAEU partner countries. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that holding a referendum on choosing a geopolitical vector at this stage has no grounds. According to him, as long as the country has not submitted an official application to join the European Union or received candidate status, raising the question of choosing between the two unions is premature.

### Response to allies' ultimatum

The statement by the Armenian leader was a direct response to a joint appeal by the leaders of four countries — Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. In the document, representatives of the EAEU and CSTO called on Yerevan to hold a referendum as soon as possible and finally decide on the direction of movement.

Pashinyan explained that the process of European integration has not yet reached the stage where a clear choice can be offered to citizens. "As long as Armenia has not officially submitted an application for membership in the European Union or approached the status of a candidate for EU membership, holding any referendum is illogical," the Prime Minister emphasized. He added that at the current stage, such a choice is purely theoretical.

The head of government also noted that Armenia will continue to work within the framework of the EAEU, but this will remain so only until the choice between the two unions becomes "inevitable".

### Increased pressure and threats from Moscow

The demand to hold a referendum against the backdrop of cooling relations with Moscow looks like an attempt to regain control over Yerevan's foreign policy course. Pressure on Armenia intensified after Yerevan sharply criticized the CSTO for inaction during Azerbaijan's military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023. Since then, Armenia has taken a course of deepening cooperation with Western partners.

The reaction from the Russian side was harsh. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Mikhail Galuzin stated that Armenia's course towards European integration is "absolutely unacceptable" for Moscow and does not correspond to Yerevan's obligations within the framework of the EAEU.

In addition to diplomatic statements, economic threats followed. Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev warned of a possible cessation of preferential supplies of gas, oil products, and diamonds in case of continuing the course towards the West.

### Warning about the "Ukrainian scenario"

The conflict also did not go unnoticed at the highest level. Vladimir Putin personally warned Nikol Pashinyan against further rapprochement with the EU, threatening with the so-called "Ukrainian scenario". The Russian leader called on Yerevan to coordinate its foreign policy decisions with the Kremlin and take into account Moscow's position on issues of European integration.

Despite this complex of pressure measures — from economic sanctions to direct political threats — Yerevan still maintains the position that the question of a referendum is not on the agenda until specific steps towards joining the EU are taken.