Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks on September 1 on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek, addressing Armenia’s plans to join the European Union, its membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Russian economic involvement, the railway concession and Russia’s military presence in Armenia.

Putin noted that Armenia’s decision on its future belongs to the Armenian people and that Moscow would respect their choice. Concurrently, he argued that Armenia’s EU course creates problems for its continued participation in the EAEU and could disrupt established trade chains. According to the Russian president, the issue had been discussed repeatedly with Pashinyan and called for greater clarity on Armenia’s future direction. Putin has advocated a direct choice by the Armenian population between the EU and the EAEU. Pashinyan, however, has maintained that the appropriate moment for such a choice has not yet arrived, saying Armenia does not currently have a fully developed alternative to its existing economic integration arrangements. 

At a September 3 press briefing, Pashinyan further reiterated that EAEU members are free to make their own decisions and have not taken an “oath of allegiance” to remain in the bloc indefinitely. He highlighted that Armenia is working with its Russian partners to make its position more understandable and acceptable and is proceeding on the basis of the treaty’s withdrawal provisions.

Pashinyan also stated that Armenia’s adoption of a law launching the EU accession process does not constitute a decision to leave the EAEU. He emphasized the Armenian government had examined its contractual obligations to Russia and the EAEU and found no violations. Pashinyan pointed to the EAEU treaty’s six-month notification requirement for withdrawal and said Armenia had not informed its partners that the country intended to leave the bloc. According to Pashinyan, the EU accession law remains in force, and Armenia will not abandon it, as the process has produced positive results for Armenia’s international standing and reflects the political will of both parliament and the Armenian public.

The railway concession was another issue under discussion. Pashinyan has proposed transferring management of the South Caucasus Railway concession to a third country acceptable to Armenia and Russia. Putin said the railway could be examined during further talks in Moscow.

The two sides also gave different signals on Russia’s military presence in Armenia. According to Putin, Russia could withdraw its 102nd Military Base from Gyumri if Armenia requested it, adding that Moscow would not impose its presence on the country. Pashinyan later suggested Armenia does not regard the base as a “vital necessity” and would not object if Russia decided to leave, while remaining open to discussing its continued presence.

The broader dispute has also prompted statements from other Russian officials. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that he expects Armenia’s interest in EU membership to weaken, arguing that the European Union is losing some of its economic advantages. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk, while recognizing Armenia’s right to decide on EU membership, claimed Russia would determine which privileges Armenia could retain or lose if it moved closer to the EU.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova separately addressed a possible visa regime for Russian citizens, saying such a decision would harm Armenia itself and would affect Armenian citizens as well as Russians with relatives in the country. Pashinyan rejected the premise behind the statement, clarifying Armenia has no plans to impose visas on Russian citizens and has never considered such a measure. 

The Moscow talks are expected to cover the issues left open after the Bishkek meeting, including Armenia’s EAEU membership and EU accession process, economic and trade relations, and other areas of bilateral cooperation.