Armenia announces plan to apply for EU membership in 'near future'
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced plans to apply for EU membership in the near future, marking a historic shift away from Russia's orbit. The decision follows years of deteriorating relations after Moscow failed to protect Armenia during conflicts with Azerbaijan. In response, the Kremlin has threatened Armenia with a 'Ukrainian scenario' and warned of severe economic and trade consequences, while Pashinyan has expressed readiness to exit the Russia-led CSTO security alliance.
Armenia EU membership application
▪Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that Armenia will decide on European Union membership through a national referendum only after formally applying and discussing an accession roadmap with Brussels.
▪Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced to parliament on August 24, 2026, that Armenia will begin preparing to apply for European Union membership in the near future.
▪Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan signed a law in April 2025 to formally begin Armenia's accession process to the European Union, though the law did not specify a timeline.
Armenia-Russia relations deterioration
▪Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan requested that Moscow relinquish its monopoly concession of Armenian railways, which runs until 2038, to allow Yerevan to integrate its rail network with international investors.
▪Armenia has sought closer ties with Western nations, including signing strategic partnership declarations with the United Kingdom and France.
▪Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan criticized Russia's failure to perform its role as a security guarantor during Armenia's conflicts with Azerbaijan over Karabakh between 2021 and 2023.
CSTO membership dilemma
▪Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated on August 24, 2026, that he would welcome a decision by the Collective Security Treaty Organisation to remove Armenia from the alliance.
▪Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan clarified that Armenia will remain in the Collective Security Treaty Organisation for the time being until a choice between the alliance and the European Union becomes unavoidable.
▪Armenia was given an ultimatum by Collective Security Treaty Organisation members to choose between alliance membership or pursuing European Union integration
Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process
▪The strained relationship between Yerevan and Moscow deteriorated significantly after Russia failed to protect Armenia from Azerbaijan during the Nagorno-Karabakh crisis in 2024.
▪Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a peace process in August 2025, embarking on economic cooperation and stability with participation from the European Union and the United States.
Russian economic pressure
▪Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warned that Armenia's departure from the Collective Security Treaty Organisation could trigger deep trade contradictions that would primarily harm Armenia.
▪Russia has pulled its ambassador from Yerevan and threatened to cancel a 2013 agreement that guarantees duty-free exports of natural gas and petroleum products to Armenia.
Kremlin threats to Armenia
▪Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened Yerevan with a 'Ukrainian scenario,' asserting that European Union and Collective Security Treaty Organisation memberships are incompatible.
▪Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that if Yerevan no longer requires Collective Security Treaty Organisation membership for its national interests, it is free to make the decision to leave.
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