Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk said that no one in the Eurasian Economic Union is planning any specific measures against Armenia, adding that the country remains a full member of the bloc and is fulfilling its obligations in good faith.

Overchuk, in an interview with the Russian TASS news agency, again said Armenia must clarify whether it intends to remain a member of the Eurasian Economic Union or move closer to the European Union, arguing that the two paths may be incompatible. He warned that the current uncertainty creates risks for investors and said EAEU members are studying the legal and economic implications of Armenia’s possible shift toward EU standards.

Overchuk expressed concern over Russia’s EAEU ally Armenia’s growing ties with Europe, arguing that the EU has shifted from an economic integration bloc into a more political and military union.

“First of all, no one in the Eurasian Economic Union wants to take any specific measures against Armenia. Armenia is a member state of the Eurasian Economic Union. Armenia is faithfully fulfilling its obligations within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union. I can say this responsibly because we are monitoring the entire regulatory legal framework of Armenia for possible deviations from the obligations it has assumed within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union. And we have not identified such deviations. Yes, there has been a declared desire to move toward European standards, but I want to say that not all European standards are bad. There are also many good things there. And what concerns us? Today the European Union has, in fact, transformed from an economic integration union, as we all know well, and many good and attractive things have been done there. But it has transformed into a military-political union that is now demonstrating hostile behavior toward our country. And here we have questions about where Armenia is heading, what the consequences are, and why we should support that movement,” Overchuk said.

He added that, on the other hand, they clearly understand that if Armenia is moving toward the European Union, it must decide and make a choice about where it should be.

According to him, the statement adopted by the heads of Armenia’s EAEU allies—Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Kyrgyzstan—during the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in Astana clearly suggests that the Armenian leadership should consider holding a referendum as soon as possible.

“I believe that this would be in everyone’s interest, because the current unstable situation creates uncertainty primarily for all investors. Why? Because if, for example, Armenia joins the European Union, it means that there will be new standards and new technical regulations that do not correspond to our standards and regulations,” said the Russian Deputy Prime Minister.

He added that this uncertainty is harmful for everyone, including Armenia. “That is why the leaders of the Eurasian Economic Union have asked to make a decision as soon as possible. And, of course, if we talk about the law of the Eurasian Economic Union, it does not currently envisage the withdrawal of any member state or the termination of participation in the Union’s activities. This is an issue that must be examined purely from a legal perspective, because we are now facing a specific legal collision, and it must be studied. This should be treated very calmly, and we will work calmly. But again, we are very concerned about this movement toward Europe, which in our view potentially causes very great harm to Armenia, the Eurasian Economic Union, and businesses in our countries, which are in a state of uncertainty. And what should be done? That is exactly the question. This is a working situation that requires a working approach,” Overchuk stressed.

When asked whether options for suspending Armenia’s EAEU membership could be considered by year-end, Overchuk said:

“No, the idea is to study possible courses of action and report on them by December. Obviously, a working group will be formed, which will include the relevant interested member states. Members of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council have been tasked with examining these issues. They will assess the situation and present proposals to the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, which will convene in Saint Petersburg in December 2026,” he said.

Armenia, a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), was earlier notified by its union partners—Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan—that they would like to see a referendum in Armenia choosing between staying in the EAEU or withdrawing and moving toward the European Union. The developments come amid growing ties between Armenia and the EU, which Armenia says do not contradict its EAEU membership for now.

In response to that statement, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on June 1 that Armenia will continue to work within the Eurasian Economic Union framework until the point when choosing between the European Union and the EAEU becomes unavoidable. The Prime Minister noted that there are currently no grounds for holding such a referendum, as Armenia’s European integration process is not yet at a stage where citizens can be presented with a clear choice. “Until the point when Armenia has either officially applied for EU membership or is very close to obtaining candidate status, holding any referendum would be unreasonable,” Pashinyan had said.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has stated that Armenia gains greater economic and developmental benefits from its membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) than it would from moving toward European integration.

“The EAEU is more beneficial. They earn more money from the EAEU, they have a better future with the EAEU, and they develop faster with the EAEU. The same will not happen with Europe,” Peskov told the Izvestia newspaper.

Peskov emphasized that, in any case, it is up to the Armenian people to decide which path to follow. He also cited Russian President Vladimir Putin’s statement that what benefits Armenians is likewise beneficial for Russia.

Armenia, a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), was earlier notified by its other member states—Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan—that they would like to see a referendum in Armenia choosing between remaining in the EAEU or withdrawing and moving toward the European Union. The developments come amid growing ties between Armenia and the EU, which Armenia says do not currently contradict its EAEU membership.

In response, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on June 1 that Armenia will continue working within the Eurasian Economic Union framework until the point when choosing between the European Union and the EAEU becomes unavoidable. He noted that there are currently no grounds for holding such a referendum, as Armenia’s European integration process is not yet at a stage where citizens can be presented with a clear choice. “Until the point when Armenia has either officially applied for EU membership or is very close to obtaining candidate status, holding any referendum would be unreasonable,” Pashinyan said.

Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan has met with the Francophonie Electoral Mission deployed by the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) in Armenia for the June 7 elections, led by Philippe Courard. 

The parties discussed matters pertaining to the campaigning process and electoral procedures, the parliament’s press service said in a readout.

Speaker Simonyan stated that the Republic of Armenia is determined to ensure the free, fair, and transparent exercise of citizens’ electoral rights, as well as the conduct of elections in line with democratic principles. The parties also discussed other issues of mutual interest.

Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan met with a delegation of observers from the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly, led by Zhakip Asanov, Deputy Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan.

Simonyan welcomed the representatives of the observation mission and wished them success in carrying out their monitoring activities during the upcoming parliamentary elections, which are of great importance to Armenia, the parliament’s press service reported.

The parties also discussed other issues related to the election campaign and the electoral process.

The Embassy of Japan in Armenia invites the public to attend a traditional Japanese music concert titled “From Japan to Armenia: A Traditional Music Concert.”

The concert will take place at the Yerevan’s Komitas Chamber Music Hall on June 13 at 7:30 p.m.

The programme will feature performances on traditional Japanese instruments, including the shō, wagon, and Tsugaru shamisen, as well as presentations of traditional Japanese dance.

The concert will also include collaborative performances with Armenian artists and piano pieces.

Admission is free.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has lauded Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s personal role in relations between the two neighboring countries. Kobakhidze extended congratulations to Pashinyan on his electoral victory.

“During Nikol Pashinyan’s tenure as Prime Minister, relations between Georgia and Armenia are at an unprecedented high level. I am very glad that these relations will continue,” Sputnik Georgia quoted Kobakhidze as saying.

“Pashinyan’s personal role in relations between Georgia and Armenia is very important,” Kobakhidze stressed.

The Central Electoral Commission has published scanned extracts of the protocols of voting results from the June 7 parliamentary elections.

The protocols of voting results from all 38 territorial electoral commissions have been published and are available for download.

According to preliminary voting results, the Civil Contract party secured a majority in the next parliament. The Strong Armenia bloc and the Armenia alliance have also secured seats.

The Prosperous Armenia party is also very close to the parliamentary threshold of 4%, with 3.996%. The party has already announced that it will apply to the Central Electoral Commission for a recount in several polling stations. Several other political forces have also called for a recount.

The Armenia alliance, led by former President Robert Kocharyan, which garnered 9.9% in the parliamentary elections, announced on Tuesday that it will challenge the results in the Constitutional Court.

A representative of the bloc, MP Ishkhan Saghatelyan, told reporters that they are now preparing a package of facts to submit to the high court.

Despite international observers stating that the vote proceeded in a calm and fair environment, Saghatelyan alleged that they have “numerous facts” indicating pressure and unfair conditions.

He said the bloc will dispute the results as soon as the Central Electoral Commission publishes the final results.

Saghatelyan also said that they have requested a recount in several polling stations. 

The Civil Contract party secured 727,827 votes, or 49.825%, securing a majority in the next parliament, according to preliminary results. 

The Strong Armenia alliance received 340,088 votes, or 23.281%, while the Armenia alliance gained 145,113 votes, or 9.934%.

Preliminary figures also show that the Prosperous Armenia party is just below the 4% threshold, with 3.996%. Prosperous Armenia has also said it will dispute the results.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has claimed that Russia is losing influence in many countries and highlighted that the Armenian parliamentary elections held on June 7 were a “major success” for the country’s independence.

“The political influence of Russia over other countries is decreasing. Azerbaijan: they are independent. Armenia: yesterday’s elections became a major success for Armenia’s independence. I also believe that the Russians have lost Moldova. Of course, they do not want to lose Ukraine, because an independent and free Ukraine is the largest and most politically dangerous country for Russia. When Ukraine joins the European Union, Putin will face internal problems with various peoples, especially in the Caucasus. Different peoples across Russia will raise questions,” Zelenskyy told The Guardian in an interview.

Zelenskyy had earlier congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his electoral victory.

The Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces, Lt. Gen. Edward Asryan, has denied accusations that the military has specifically called up opposition politicians and their supporters for regular reserve musters as a “punitive measure.”

“The military has never been a punitive measure. You ought to be proud of the military, where our sons are serving,” the top general told reporters.

He said the reserve musters have been a routine initiative since 2023 and that tens of thousands of citizens registered in the reserve have been called up regularly.

Earlier media reports alleged that Armenians arriving from Russia, who were purportedly involved in a vote-swaying scheme involving a brief visit to cast ballots for the opposition, were being summoned for the musters at the airport.

“Regardless of the country from which they arrive, if an Armenian citizen who is subject to military registration enters the country and their arrival is recorded by the relevant systems, the military commissariat has the authority to send them an electronic notice regarding their conscription for military training exercises,” the general said on the matter.