Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held their first face-to-face meeting since Pashinyan's re-election, with the two leaders publicly disagreeing over Armenia's economic future, according to Russian business daily Vedomosti.
The talks, which took place on Tuesday, centered on Armenia's legislative path toward European Union membership and what that means for its existing commitments to the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the Moscow-led trade bloc.
During the exchange, Putin challenged Pashinyan directly on the issue, telling him to make a choice and "close the topic," as reported by RTVI. The Russian leader argued that a law initiating Armenia's EU accession process would effectively amount to Armenia leaving the EAEU, according to Expert magazine.
Pashinyan pushed back on that interpretation, disputing Putin's characterization of the situation, URA.RU reported. The disagreement was notable for its public nature, with both leaders appearing to stake out firm positions in front of reporters.
The meeting marked a significant moment in relations between the two countries, coming as Armenia has increasingly signaled a shift away from its traditional reliance on Russia. The EAEU has been a cornerstone of Moscow's economic influence in the region, and any move by Armenia to exit would be a major blow to the bloc's credibility.
Radio Liberty noted that this was Pashinyan's first meeting with Putin after his electoral victory, adding political weight to the exchange.
Vedomosti's account of the talks suggests the two sides remain far apart on the core question of Armenia's alignment, with Putin insisting on a clear resolution rather than allowing ambiguity to continue.
Observers will now watch whether Armenia proceeds with the EU accession law and how Moscow responds if it does, as the standoff over the country's economic orientation shows no sign of easing.
