On 29th January Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk stated that Armenia's initiative to start the process of its accession to the European Union will not be discussed at the forthcoming meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council (EIC) in Almaty.

Overchuk stressed that the agenda of the meeting has already been set and "these issues will not be raised here". He also stressed Armenia's active role within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), calling it the main beneficiary of the organisation. Overchuk pointed out that Armenia's trade with the EAEU reached $12 billion in 2024, significantly exceeding its trade volume with the EU. Moreover, trade with the EAEU is growing while trade with the EU is declining, reflecting the true state of Armenia's economic relations.

Overchuk also warned that Armenia's possible accession to the EU would signal its withdrawal from the EAEU. He argued that opening markets with the EU would lead to closing markets with the EAEU, to the detriment of producers within the union. "Zeroing import tariffs with the EU will automatically mean a return to tariffs with the EAEU," he said, warning against any illusions about the consequences.

On the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, Overchuk noted positive progress in the delimitation and demarcation process. He welcomed the agreements between Baku and Yerevan to start this process from the junction of their borders with Georgia. Overchuk said that this joint effort would enhance regional stability. Russia, he said, was ready to provide cartographic material and advisory support for the border demarcation, drawing on its extensive experience in similar processes, including with Azerbaijan.