Russia Recalls Armenia Envoy Amid Growing EU Ties Tensions

Russia recalled its ambassador to Armenia amid Armenia's push to deepen EU ties, a move Moscow says could undermine Armenia's membership in the Eurasian Economic Union. Moscow has argued that Armenia cannot belong to both the EU and the EEU, as President Putin tied Armenia's EU pivot to the Ukraine conflict and urged a swift referendum on EU candidacy versus EEU membership. Armenia has historically strong ties with Moscow but has moved toward Western integration, with an Armenia-EU summit in May hailed by Brussels as a leap forward. The EEU bloc leaders warned of significant risks and ordered officials to prepare a report on possible consequences of suspending Armenia's EEU membership. Moscow has also warned it could limit cheap gas supplies and restrict Armenian exports, underscoring the strategic stakes in the South Caucasus.