European leaders are gathering in Yerevan for two major summits, marking a significant moment for Armenia, long viewed as one of Vladimir Putin’s closest allies in the region.
More than 30 European leaders, along with Canada’s prime minister, are set to attend a summit of the European Political Community. This will be followed by the first-ever bilateral summit between the European Union and Armenia, attended by Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa.
The high-level meetings highlight a notable shift for Armenia, which remains a member of the Eurasian Economic Union and hosts a Russian military base. The country also relies heavily on Russian energy, importing gas at preferential rates.
Armenia’s changing geopolitical stance accelerated after the 2023 conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh. During the crisis, Russia did not intervene decisively despite its peacekeeping presence, prompting concerns in Yerevan about the reliability of its traditional security alliances.
Officials in Armenia have since acknowledged that the existing security framework failed to provide adequate protection. This has contributed to growing public and political support for closer ties with Europe.
In 2025, Armenia’s parliament approved steps toward eventual EU membership, reflecting this strategic pivot. The EU has also increased its involvement, including deploying a civilian monitoring mission along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border and launching new initiatives to support governance and security.
Efforts to stabilise relations with Azerbaijan have also progressed. A landmark agreement was signed in Washington in 2025 by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, aiming to end decades of conflict. The deal included plans for a regional transport corridor designed to boost economic connectivity.
However, tensions persist. Azerbaijan recently suspended ties with the European Parliament over disagreements related to displaced populations and detained individuals from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Meanwhile, Moscow has expressed clear dissatisfaction with Armenia’s growing alignment with Europe. Russian officials have warned that Armenia cannot simultaneously deepen integration with the EU while remaining in the Eurasian Economic Union.
Recent developments have also pointed to increased pressure from Russia, including trade restrictions and alleged cyber and disinformation campaigns targeting Armenian institutions.
European officials have acknowledged these risks. Ahead of Armenia’s upcoming elections, new EU-supported missions aim to counter foreign interference, cyber threats, and disinformation efforts.
Despite growing cooperation, Europe has not provided firm commitments on Armenia’s EU membership timeline or security guarantees. The country also remains dependent on Russian gas, limiting how far it can shift away from Moscow in the short term.
As Armenia hosts these unprecedented summits, it finds itself navigating a complex geopolitical balancing act—seeking closer ties with Europe while managing longstanding economic and security links with Russia.
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