Russia announced the recall of its ambassador to Armenia in a context of strong diplomatic tensions linked to Armenia’s rapprochement with the European Union. Vladimir Putin toughens his tone and warns against a “Ukrainian scenario”. Yerevan tries to maintain a fragile balance between Moscow and the West.
Russia announced, on Saturday May 30, the recall of its ambassador to Armenia, Sergei Kopyrkin, for “consultations in Moscow”. According to BFM, in a press release, the Russian Foreign Ministry indicated that its ambassador was summoned to examine the measures taken by the Armenian government in favor of rapprochement with Brussels.
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Vladimir Putin raises his voice
The day before, during a regional summit in Kazakhstan, Vladimir Putin compared the current situation in Armenia to that of Ukraine before the outbreak of war. According to the Russian president, the “Ukrainian scenario” began when kyiv chose to move closer to the European Union. The head of the Kremlin also considered that European integration of Armenia was incompatible with its membership in the Eurasian Economic Union, dominated by Moscow. He finally called on the Armenian authorities to quickly organize a referendum so that the population can vote on this strategic direction.
For several years, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has tried to maintain a delicate balance between historic relations with Moscow and a growing openness towards Western countries. From May 4 to 5, Armenia hosted a European summit, after which European Union officials hailed a “leap forward” in relations between Armenia and Brussels. A signal perceived by Moscow as a challenge to its traditional influence in the South Caucasus.
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An increasingly complex situation
In recent weeks, Washington and Yerevan have even signed a strategic partnership intended to deepen their cooperation, reports Reuters. The European Union supports several modernization programs and encourages the democratic reforms undertaken since 2018. For Nikol Pashinian, this opening towards the West would allow Armenia to reduce its dependence on Russia and obtain more diplomatic guarantees in the face of regional tensions.
For its part, Russia considers this development as a direct threat to its influence in the South Caucasus. Vladimir Putin believes that Armenian membership in the European Union would be incompatible with its membership in the Eurasian Economic Union, the economic organization led by Moscow. It is for this reason that the Russian president recently declared that Armenia had to “choose” between Europe and Russia.
On June 7, Armenians will be called to the polls for legislative elections considered to be the most important since the Velvet Revolution of 2018. According to the American think tank German Marshall Fund, this election could be decisive for the future of the country and its positioning. geopolitics in the years to come.
