The EU is preparing an aid package for Armenia due to economic pressure from Russia.
The European Union intends to provide Armenia with a €50 million economic support package amid restrictions imposed by Russia and Yerevan’s deepening cooperation with its European partners.
This was announced by the President of the European Commission , Ursula von der Leyen , Reuters reports.
Von der Leyen said she discussed the situation with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and condemned Russia’s recent restrictions on Armenia.
“This is nothing less than economic coercion, and it is unacceptable,” the head of the European Commission emphasized.
She noted that the European Union is well acquainted with such methods of pressure from Moscow, when economic levers are used to achieve political goals.
According to von der Leyen, the extension of export restrictions on Armenian products indicates Russia’s attempts to influence the country’s political course. In response, the EU plans to provide Yerevan with financial support.
The announcement of the impending aid package comes amid deteriorating relations between Armenia and Russia. In recent years, Yerevan has stepped up cooperation with Western countries and the European Union, which has become a factor in tensions with Moscow.
Earlier, Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin criticized Armenia and warned of the “inadmissibility” of pursuing European integration without the Kremlin’s approval, threatening a “Ukrainian scenario.”
As a reminder, the first-ever bilateral summit between Armenia and the European Union took place in Yerevan on May 5. The event was attended by Armenian leadership and top EU officials, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Sredstva. Political scientist Oleg Sahakyan, speaking on “Pryamoy,” analyzed the shifting geopolitical emphasis in the region, noting the gradual displacement of Russian influence and the growing role of Kyiv as a security partner.
Also follow “Pryamy” on Facebook , X , Telegram and Instagram.