Putin to discuss Armenia's EU bid with Pashinyan in Bishkek on September 1
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Russian President Vladimir Putin will discuss Armenia's push to join the European Union with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during a meeting in Bishkek on September 1. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin will use the meeting to restate Moscow's position and propose a referendum on Armenia's integration path. The talks are scheduled on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.
Key Facts
- The Putin-Pashinyan meeting is scheduled for September 1 on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin will use the meeting to restate Russia's arguments against Armenia's EU accession.
- Russia proposes that Armenia hold a referendum on its integration path, Peskov said, citing a similar proposal in a Eurasian Economic Union leaders' statement adopted at the Astana summit.
- Armenia adopted a law in 2025 launching the process of joining the European Union.
- Pashinyan has previously acknowledged that simultaneous membership in the EU and the Eurasian Economic Union is impossible.
Meeting Agenda
Putin and Pashinyan will meet on September 1 in Bishkek on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin intends to use the meeting to renew Russia's argumentation regarding Armenia's EU aspirations. Peskov stated that every high-level contact is important and that Putin will use this meeting to present Moscow's position. Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said the leaders also plan to discuss bilateral relations and the internal situation in Armenia.
Referendum Proposal
Peskov said Russia proposes that Armenia hold a referendum on the country's further course. He noted that a similar proposal is contained in a statement by the heads of Eurasian Economic Union member states adopted at the recent Astana summit. Peskov emphasized that the decision about Armenia's future should be made by Armenians themselves. He added: 'We cannot be more Armenian than the Armenians themselves. And, of course, the decision about their fate will be made by the Armenians themselves.'
Armenia's EU Path
Armenia has been consistently expanding cooperation with the European Union in recent years. In 2025, the country adopted a law launching the process of joining the EU. Prime Minister Pashinyan has previously acknowledged that simultaneous membership in the EU and the Eurasian Economic Union is impossible. Pashinyan earlier refused to name Russia as a strategic partner in Armenia's development program, citing Moscow's response to the 2020 and 2023 clashes.
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Putin to discuss Armenia's EU bid with Pashinyan in Bishkek on September 1
