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In a move perceived as a diplomatic setback, Russia announced on Saturday that it had withdrawn its ambassador to Armenia for consultation, citing concerns over Yerevan’s deepening ties with the European Union. The decision, which has significant implications for Armenia’s relations with both Moscow and Brussels, comes ahead of the country’s parliamentary election scheduled for June 7.
According to Russia’s Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Sergei Kopyrkin has been recalled to Moscow for consultations, specifically due to the Armenian government’s actions aimed at strengthening its connection with the EU. This move is seen as a sign of growing discontent on the part of the Russian government, which has historically maintained close ties with Yerevan.
On Friday, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a regional security bloc led by Russia, signaled that it could consider suspending Armenia’s membership over its pursuit of EU membership. This ultimatum was made amidst concerns that Western countries, particularly the EU, are exerting undue influence over Armenia to undermine Russian influence in the region.
In a statement expressing its concern, the CSTO underscored the importance of Armenia’s integration into Russian-led regional security frameworks and urged the country to hold a referendum on the issue, which could ostensibly help mitigate the impact of EU rapprochement on bilateral ties.
Moscow’s diplomatic pushback against Yerevan is widely seen as an attempt to prevent Armenia from drifting further towards the West. This strategic realignment would be a significant shift in the country’s foreign policy priorities, as Armenia would then potentially become the third former Soviet state to pursue EU membership, following the precedent set by Ukraine and Georgia.
Armenia, which has historically maintained close economic, cultural, and security ties with Russia, has been increasingly seeking to strengthen its economic connection with the EU. Last year, Armenia and the EU signed a comprehensive framework agreement aimed at boosting economic cooperation and deepening security ties.
The diplomatic fallout from Armenia’s bid for EU membership highlights the complexities and rivalries that underpin post-Soviet geopolitics, underscoring the ongoing competition between Moscow and Brussels for influence in the former Soviet space.