The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), led by Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Kyrgyzstan, will review Armenia's membership at its December 2026 meeting due to fears that Armenia's pursuit of European Union membership threatens the union's economic security [1]. The EAEU leaders stated Armenia’s westward integration poses significant economic security risks to the Moscow-led union [1].
Russia has increased pressure on Armenia by temporarily restricting Armenian agricultural imports and threatening to cut supplies of cheap Russian oil and gas to the country [1]. Moscow has told Armenia that maintaining membership in the EAEU is incompatible with its aspirations to join the EU [1].
In 2025, Armenia passed a law officially launching its EU accession process [1]. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who supports closer ties with the West and the EU, leads the governing Civil Contract party, which polls indicate holds about 30% support ahead of the June 7, 2026 parliamentary elections [1]. These elections also feature mostly pro-Russian opposition parties challenging Pashinyan’s bloc [1].
Pashinyan did not attend the May 29, 2026 EAEU summit due to his election campaign; Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan represented Armenia instead [1]. At that summit, the EAEU called on Armenia to hold a referendum that includes the option to remain in the Moscow-led union alongside EU membership aspirations [1].
The December 2026 EAEU meeting will mark a critical moment as leaders decide whether to suspend Armenia's membership over its European integration efforts [1].
