Dmitry Medvedev warns Armenia against European Union pivot and Ukraine comparison
Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev warned that Armenia risks turning into a new Ukraine as Yerevan advances legislation toward European Union membership and seeks alternative gas suppliers.
Moscow issues warnings over European integration
Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, warned Armenia against pursuing closer relations with the European Union during an interview with Iranian state broadcaster IRIB. Medvedev asserted that the current leadership in Yerevan had deliberately chosen a new development trajectory, claiming the shift would bring negative outcomes for the South Caucasus nation. He directly compared Yerevan's diplomatic direction to Kyiv's previous foreign policy choices, asserting that Armenia risks facing comparable consequences.
The worst thing that could happen to Armenia is to turn into a new Ukraine.
Medvedev accused unnamed foreign states of attempting to destabilize the South Caucasus region through external pressure. He cited Georgia and its past aspirations to join NATO as an example of Western integration mechanisms that led to armed confrontation. The Russian security official previously stated that Armenia would never achieve European Union membership due to internal institutional issues within the European bloc, warning that the accession push would permanently damage ties with Moscow and other members of the Eurasian Economic Union.
Diplomatic dispute over European Union accession
Tensions between Moscow and Yerevan escalated after the Armenian parliament passed a law in March 2025 to launch the accession process to the European Union. Russian officials declared that concurrent membership in the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union is legally and practically impossible. Russian President Vladimir Putin subsequently urged Yerevan to organize a national referendum so citizens could make an official choice between the two economic frameworks.
- Armenian parliament passes a bill to launch the European Union accession process
- Vladimir Putin and Nikol Pashinyan clash publicly over Yerevan's foreign policy trajectory
- Dmitry Medvedev warns Armenia against European integration during an interview with IRIB
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan rejected the referendum proposal, explaining that holding a vote before Armenia secures formal European Union candidate status is pointless. Pashinyan argued that a vote would force citizens to choose between the Eurasian Economic Union and an option that is not yet formally available. In September 2026, Putin and Pashinyan engaged in a direct public confrontation regarding Yerevan's geopolitical orientation, during which Pashinyan affirmed that the accession legislation does not violate Armenia's existing obligations, while clarifying that Yerevan no longer considers the Russian Federation to be a strategic partner.
Trade measures and energy diversification
The diplomatic rift extended into economic policy after Pashinyan publicly noted Armenia's democratic system and absence of internet restrictions in contrast to Russia's governance. Moscow subsequently imposed trade restrictions on multiple Armenian imports, barring shipments of alcohol, vegetables, fruit, fish, dairy products, and flowers.
In response to the trade measures and political pressure, the Armenian government announced plans to diversify its energy supplies away from exclusive reliance on Moscow. Armenia stated its intent to procure natural gas from regional neighbors including Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Iran. Alen Simonyan, the president of Armenia's Security Council, outlined the multi-vector energy strategy.
We want to buy gas from wherever possible. If Russia offers it, we buy from Russia, if Azerbaijan provides it, we buy from Azerbaijan, if Iran does it, we buy from Iran, and if Turkey can, we buy from them too. And all of this at the same time.
