Russia Heads for Showdown With Armenia Over European Ambitions

In late May 2026, around 29 May, Russia moved toward a showdown with Armenia over Armenia's outreach to the European Union, days before decisive parliamentary elections. Russia pulled its envoy from Armenia. The Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union urged Armenia to hold a referendum on its EU bid and threatened to suspend its membership. Putin warned Armenia of consequences if it moves closer to the EU, and Lukashenko commented on Armenia leaving the EEU.

Reuters says Russia has carried out covert efforts to stop Armenia's shift toward the West, including imported voters and fake websites. Handelsblatt says Russia apparently plans to manipulate the elections. Frankfurter Allgemeine describes the vote as a clash between Putin's world and Trump's world.