Pashinyan called the exit from the EAEU inevitable.

The Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, called the exit from the EAEU inevitable for joining the European Union. Armenia plans to submit its application for EU membership in 2027-2028.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan may temporarily suspend the agreement on the Eurasian Economic Union concerning Armenia. This will restore customs control, and the country's GDP is projected to decrease by 15.6%.

Currently, Armenia does not plan to exit the Eurasian Economic Union, stated Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

At a briefing for journalists in the government, discussing his statement that he considers it realistic to submit an application for EU membership in 2027 or 2028, he noted in this context that it is impossible to be simultaneously in the EAEU and the EU.

"We have not started preparing to exit the EAEU; we are preparing to offer our people alternative options, as promised. Our people should have the opportunity to make a choice. We do not intend to exit the EAEU; however, you know that our partners in this structure are raising the issue of determining our foreign policy course and holding a referendum. I stated that at this moment there are no grounds for holding a referendum. Before conducting a referendum on exiting the EAEU and joining the EU, certain procedures must be followed. We are moving along this path. It is clear to me that the process is heading towards us officially submitting an application — in 2027 or 2028 — to begin the procedure for obtaining full EU membership status," he said, as reported by "Armenpress".

The day before, Pashinyan stated that Armenia could submit an application for EU membership in 2027 or 2028.

"Today we are discussing this with European partners, discussing it domestically. We are considering such a possibility. And it is very important for us not just to take a technical step. It is very important that this entire process is accompanied by a political dialogue specifically around this topic. I have no doubt that the time will come, and it is not too far away," he said, as reported by "News Armenia".

In response to a request for specifics, Pashinyan said: "I don't know how realistic this is, but next year could be realistic, 2028 could be realistic."

At the same time, the Prime Minister emphasized that Armenia is currently focused on dialogue about visa liberalization, and our goal is to achieve visa liberalization by 2029.

"And this will be another very important stage in the process of developing our relations with the European Union," he said.

"Caucasian Knot" also reported that starting from October 10, the European Union has provided trade preferences for about 80% of exports from Armenia for two years. The decision is related to the restrictions imposed by Russia on the import of Armenian products. The European Union is Armenia's third-largest trading partner: it accounted for 11.3% of its foreign trade in 2025, according to the European Commission's website.

After the parliamentary elections, Armenia found itself once again at the center of geopolitical confrontation between Russia and the European Union. Yerevan declares its commitment to the course of Eurointegration, Moscow intensifies economic pressure and demands a decision between the EU and the EAEU, while disputes continue within the country about the price of such a choice, as stated in the article "Armenia on the path to the EU? What is changing in Yerevan's relations with Russia".