Speaking to Armenian reporters in Hamburg on December 10 as part of his visit to Germany, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan addressed questions about Armenia’s foreign policy direction, its cooperation within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and the country’s long-term goal of European integration. During the trip, Pashinyan held high-level meetings in Berlin, signed a new strategic partnership agenda with Germany, and discussed EU-Armenia cooperation, economic reforms, and regional stability with German leaders.
“Leaving the EAEU is not an objective. On the other hand, becoming an EU member is an objective. We realize that simultaneous membership in the EAEU and the EU is not possible, and we understand that there will come a point when a decision must be made. But today is not that point, there is no need to make a decision now,” he said, noting that the government’s new law on starting the EU accession process is aimed at accelerating democratic reforms and aligning Armenia’s institutions with EU standards.
“When we reach the point where we objectively meet those criteria, we will apply for EU membership,” he added.
Following Pashinyan’s statements, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk commented on the issue, stressing that Armenia will eventually have to make a choice between the EU and the EAEU. “Membership in the two integration unions is incompatible. At some point, the people of Armenia will have to make the appropriate choice,” Overchuk said. He also noted that trade between Armenia and Russia has dropped sharply this year, from $12.4 billion in 2024 to an estimated $6 billion in 2025, and that Russian businesses are increasingly cautious about working with Armenia.
Pashinyan’s comments in Hamburg set the tone for his next diplomatic engagement, the regular session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Moscow, where he traveled the following day.
The meeting opened with a narrow-format discussion and continued in an expanded session that included the heads of government of EAEU member states and Uzbekistan’s Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, representing an observer country.
In his remarks, Pashinyan emphasized Armenia’s interest in expanding the EAEU’s external economic relations, advancing new free trade agreements, and improving competitiveness. He also highlighted transport and logistics as priority areas for cooperation, noting that recent regional shifts, including Azerbaijan’s decision to unblock transit for goods destined for Armenia, create new opportunities. He described the latter as “one of the important achievements within the efforts aimed at establishing peace and stability in our region.”
Pashinyan further underscored the need for coordinated action on forming common energy markets, ensuring domestic supply, strengthening agricultural resilience amid global food volatility, and accelerating the Union’s digital transformation. Cybersecurity, he said, should also be a priority, including common standards and shared information protection mechanisms.
Prior to Pashinyan’s arrival in Moscow, a crowd of around 300 demonstrators gathered outside the Armenian Embassy in the Russian capital, protesting the recent arrests of senior clerics and public figures in Armenia. The rally, which included members of the clergy and community activists, condemned the detentions of Armenian archbishops and businessman and philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan as unconstitutional.
Protesters held images of Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan and Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, alongside posters reading “Hands off our faith, the Holy Apostolic Church” and “We stand with Etchmiadzin,” while chanting, “Our cross is our strength.” Organizers said the demonstration was specifically timed to coincide with Pashinyan’s arrival in Moscow.
His flight also faced complications. Pashinyan’s plane was forced to land in Saint Petersburg after circling above the Tver region for about an hour while waiting for a landing slot. Despite the diversion, his office confirmed that he arrived safely and would proceed with participation in the EAEU session.
The Russian outlet MK reported that the diversion occurred amid “one of the largest drone attacks on Moscow in recent memory.” According to the Russian Defense Ministry, air defense forces shot down 32 drones overnight, which triggered widespread flight disruptions. More than 170 flights were cancelled or delayed, and Moscow’s four main airports, Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo, and Zhukovsky, imposed temporary restrictions.
