Russia gives Armenia one-month deadline to choose between EU and EAEU or face new sanctions

August 11, 2026 at 05:00 AM2 min

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Russia has given Armenia a one-month ultimatum to decide between closer ties with the European Union and remaining in the Eurasian Economic Union, threatening a second, harsher phase of sanctions if it fails to comply. Armenian sources fear the measures could include deporting labor migrants and closing Russian airspace, citing the newspaper Hraparak. Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin also demanded a national referendum by December to formalize the choice.

The Ultimatum

Moscow has given Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan approximately one month to decide whether Armenia will pursue closer ties with the European Union or maintain its membership in the Eurasian Economic Union. Russian officials warned that failure to choose would trigger a 'second, more brutal stage of sanctions,' according to the Armenian newspaper Hraparak, citing government sources. The ultimatum escalates pressure on Yerevan, which has been balancing relations between Russia and the West.

Threatened Sanctions

Armenian officials, speaking to Hraparak, described potential sanctions with alarm. Among the measures reportedly discussed are the deportation of up to 500,000 Armenian labor migrants from Russia and the closure of Russian airspace to flights from Armenia. Such actions would likely cause a sharp decline in tourism, a surge in airfare prices, and severe economic disruption. Further steps could target gas supplies and other areas, though the sources admitted they did not have full details. The prospect of mass returns of unemployed migrants was described as a scenario that could destabilize Armenia.

Referendum Demand

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin stated that Armenia must hold a national referendum on EU accession versus EAEU membership before December. He linked the deadline to the upcoming December meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, where leaders will review a report on the consequences of suspending the EAEU treaty for Armenia. Galuzin noted that a joint statement by the presidents of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan on May 29 had already called for such a referendum, though without a firm date. The December meeting, he said, would 'take this fact into account' if the referendum is not held.