KREMLIN DRAWS LINE: Armenia's EU Pivot Sparks Moscow's Fury, recalls envoy| Times Now World

Added: 2026-06-02

[00:00:01][music] [music] [music] [music] [music] >> Russia has escalated pressure on Armenia just days before a crucial parliamentary election.

[00:00:38]Recalling its ambassador from Yerevan and openly challenging the country's growing ties with the European Union.

[00:00:47]The move marks the sharpest diplomatic signal yet from Moscow as Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's government continues its westward pivot.

[00:00:57]Despite Armenia's long-standing political, economic, and security links with Russia.

[00:01:05]>> The ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Armenia, S.P.

[00:01:10]Kopirkin, has been recalled to Moscow for consultations in connection with steps taken by the Armenian leadership toward rapprochement with the European Union.

[00:01:22]>> The ambassador's recall comes amid mounting pressure from both Russia and the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union.

[00:01:30]A day earlier, leaders of the EAEU warned that Armenia's European ambitions could have serious consequences for the bloc and called for a national referendum on whether Armenians want closer integration with the EU or continued membership in the Eurasian Union.

[00:01:50]>> Do as you see fit based on the interests of the Armenian people.

[00:01:55]You are in power now and you are responsible for making decisions.

[00:02:00]As you say, so it shall be.

[00:02:02]Whatever decisions are made, it will not spoil our humanitarian ties. It will not spoil our political ties, but in this case we are talking purely about economic aspects.

[00:02:12]Everything needs to be calculated, examined carefully and a decision taken.

[00:02:18]I have already mentioned this.

[00:02:19]The crisis in Ukraine once began with attempts to bring Ukraine into the EU.

[00:02:26]>> The warning lands at a politically sensitive moment. Opinion polls suggest Pashinyan's pro-Western camp remains ahead of the pro-Russian opposition.

[00:02:37]Armenia has steadily distanced itself from Moscow since accusing Russia of failing to protect it during conflicts with Azerbaijan, including the loss of Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023.

[00:02:54]Adding to the pressure, Russian President Vladimir Putin invoked what he called the Ukrainian scenario, linking Moscow's conflict with Kyiv to Ukraine's pursuit of closer ties with Europe. The message from the Kremlin is clear.

[00:03:11]Armenia's path toward Brussels could come with geopolitical and economic costs, turning the upcoming election into a defining choice over the country's future direction.

[00:03:55]>> Hey.