Armenia hosted its first-ever bilateral summit with the European Union on Tuesday in Yerevan, marking a significant diplomatic milestone as the country openly pursues closer integration with Europe while gradually distancing itself from long-time ally Russia.
The EU-Armenia summit follows the eighth meeting of the European Political Community, which brought dozens of European leaders to Yerevan. Discussions during the gathering focused on regional security concerns as well as broader geopolitical tensions, including the US-Israeli conflict involving Iran.
These back-to-back meetings highlight Armenia’s growing shift towards Western alignment. Relations with Moscow have deteriorated since 2023, when neighboring Azerbaijan regained full control of the Karabakh region, ending decades of rule by ethnic Armenian separatists. Armenian officials accused Russian peacekeepers stationed there of failing to prevent the offensive, while Moscow, preoccupied with the war in Ukraine, rejected the criticism, saying its forces lacked the mandate to intervene.
Analysts, including Richard Giragosian, have described the conflict as evidence that Russia has become an unreliable security partner. Since then, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has accelerated efforts to deepen ties with Western institutions, a direction welcomed by European leaders.
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Speaking at the EPC meeting, Antonio Costa praised Pashinyan’s ‘courageous political decisions’ in steering Armenia closer to Europe. He emphasised the importance of strengthening democratic institutions and countering external interference. During the summit’s opening ceremony, Costa appeared alongside Pashinyan and Ursula von der Leyen, symbolizing growing cooperation.
Von der Leyen said the EU is prepared to support Armenia’s transformation into a regional hub for trade and connectivity. She highlighted potential investments in infrastructure, energy production, cross-Black Sea energy links, and integration of Armenia’s expanding digital sector into the European market.
Armenia has already taken several steps that signal a shift away from Moscow. It joined the International Criminal Court in 2023—a move criticised by Russia, especially after the court issued an arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin over alleged war crimes in Ukraine. In 2024, Armenia froze its participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization, and in 2025 its parliament formally declared the goal of seeking EU membership.
Despite this westward tilt, Armenia remains part of the Eurasian Economic Union, which also includes Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Moscow has warned that membership in both the EEU and the EU is incompatible, with Putin noting that Armenia currently benefits from subsidised Russian natural gas. Pashinyan has acknowledged the tension but suggested that, for now, Armenia can balance EEU membership while expanding cooperation with the EU.
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