Moscow invites Armenia to hold referendum by December 2026 to choose between EU and the EAEU

Moscow has invited Armenia to hold a nationwide referendum by December 2026 in which citizens would choose whether the country should seek membership of the European Union or remain in the Eurasian Economic Union, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said.

Decision tied to next EAEU leaders’ meeting

Galuzin told Armenian state media that leaders of the Eurasian Economic Union will review Armenia’s status and the implications of its European orientation at the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meeting scheduled for December 2026.

He warned that the bloc’s leaders could factor any failure to hold the referendum into their collective response. “It is obvious that, if the call to hold a referendum is not accepted by that time, the leaders of the EAEU will take that fact into account when determining further joint steps,” Galuzin said.

Galuzin also referred to a joint appeal from the presidents of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan on May 29 urging Armenia to organise a national referendum as soon as possible to decide whether it intends to pursue EU membership or remain in the EAEU.

Speaking about positions inside Yerevan, Galuzin said Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made contradictory remarks on a possible referendum during the election campaign, and acknowledged that Armenia has not received an invitation to join the EU and may never become a member.

The Russian statement marks another diplomatic push as Armenia navigates pressure from Moscow while pursuing closer ties with Europe, and sets a firm deadline for a public decision that could reshape the country’s foreign-policy alignment.

Photo: justgorussia.co.uk