Putin And Pashinyan Spoke By Phone
- 27.07.2026, 21:15
The Kremlin and Yerevan gave differing accounts of the conversation.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone on July 27. The Kremlin press service reported on the referendum that was discussed, while officials in Yerevan reported that the conversation focused on the restrictions imposed by Russia.
According to the Armenian Prime Minister’s press service, the two leaders “exchanged views on the agenda of Armenian-Russian relations, in particular on issues arising in bilateral economic relations.”
Pashinyan emphasized that “restrictions on the export of goods of Armenian origin to the Russian market contradict the Armenian-Russian legal framework and the provisions of the Eurasian Economic Union,” and called for measures to be taken to resolve these issues.”
The Kremlin reported that the call took place at the initiative of the Armenian side, and that Putin “reaffirmed his commitment to the joint statement adopted at the Eurasian Economic Union summit in Astana on May 29, 2026, by the leaders of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia regarding the Republic of Armenia’s actions aimed at joining the European Union.”
“In particular, emphasis was placed on the need to hold a nationwide referendum in Armenia as soon as possible on joining the EU or remaining a member of the EAEU,” the statement said.
Pashinyan noted that holding a referendum is practically possible only after Armenia submits an official application for EU membership and makes this issue a substantive one.
“At the same time, Prime Minister Pashinyan emphasized the readiness of the Government of the Republic of Armenia to resolve the aforementioned issues through an open, partnership-based, and friendly dialogue,” according to a statement from the Armenian prime minister’s press service.
It should be noted that Russia’s policy toward Armenia has recently become more stringent. For example, Russia—the country’s main trading partner—has imposed restrictions on the import of numerous categories of goods, which could potentially affect Armenia’s traditional export sectors: from fruits and vegetables to mineral water and wine.
This is happening against the backdrop of Yerevan increasingly distancing itself from Moscow and gravitating toward the European Union and the United States. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a support package for Armenia as a sign of solidarity.