The Armenian opposition and Russian propaganda shared their indignation at Armenia's rapprochement with the EU.
The first Armenia-EU summit, which concluded in Yerevan, gave Armenian opposition political forces an excuse to accuse Nikol Pashinyan of election manipulation, while Moscow media outlets accused him of "betrayal" and an anti-Russian stance.
As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," the eighth summit of the European Political Community was held in Yerevan on May 4, with the participation of approximately 50 delegations at the level of heads of state and institutions. Simultaneously, on May 4 and 5, the first Armenia-EU summit was held in the Armenian capital, with the European Union represented by European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Armenian and Karabakh public organizations and parties called on EU representatives visiting Yerevan to promote the preservation of cultural values in Karabakh and the protection of refugee rights.
The first-ever Armenia-EU summit, which concluded today in Yerevan, attracted media attention even before it began: journalists noted that it was taking place a month before the upcoming parliamentary elections in Armenia, as well as a month after Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's visit to Moscow.
The eighth summit of the European Political Community (EPC) on May 4 was also declared historic: it was the first to be held in the South Caucasus and was made possible by the peace agreement signed between Yerevan and Baku. Speaking at the event, European Council President António Costa assured that Armenia had chosen the right path in beginning its rapprochement with the EU. French President Emmanuel Macron, for his part, stated that Armenia is no longer viewed as "a de facto satellite of Russia," which was the unanimous view even "eight years ago."
During the summit that concluded today, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that Armenia and the EU are "closer than ever," according to a JAMnews report.
The European Union "reaffirms its unwavering commitment to further strengthening relations with Armenia" and its democratic reform program, and recognizes "the European aspirations of the Armenian people," according to the final declaration of the Armenia-EU summit published today. The document contains 44 points.
Nikol Pashinyan noted that deepening cooperation with the European Union will bring tangible benefits to Armenia, regardless of the country's prospects for full EU membership. "If we are accepted into the EU, we will be delighted and happy. And if not, we will benefit in any case, since Armenia will become a country that meets European standards," he stated.
Reactions in Armenia
The pro-Russian opposition, commenting on the summits in Yerevan, accused Nikol Pashinyan of unfair pre-election competition. In particular, the leader of the Strong Armenia bloc and president of the Tashir Group holding, Samvel Karapetyan, stated that the European Political Community summit held in Yerevan "could affect the balance of power in the region."
"The very fact of holding an event that serves the interests of a small group in power and is approaching the end of its term is concerning," Novosti-Armenia quotes his video statement on his Facebook page*.
Robert Kocharyan's "Armenia" bloc believes that the authorities are "interested in using European political circles for domestic political purposes" rather than in meaningfully developing relations with the European Union.
"Statements by individuals representing the EU executive branch only heighten concerns that the Armenian authorities' manipulative actions appear to be receiving European support," the bloc said in a statement, quoted by Sputnik Armenia.
Robert Kocharyan himself, speaking at a meeting with young people on May 4, considered it necessary to recall that Armenia joined the Council of Europe "precisely during his presidency," and the geography of his visits "was incomparably broader."
"I was president for 10 years, and Armenia did not turn into Russia (...) Back then, obtaining visas to Europe or other countries was much easier than it is today. I am absolutely convinced that in the shortest possible time, it is possible to reach a level of relations with the European Union that will provide visa-free travel for Armenian citizens,” Yerevan Today quotes Kocharyan as saying.
Samvel Karapetyan’s “Strong Armenia,” along with Robert Kocharyan’s “Armenia” bloc and Gagik Tsarukyan’s “Prosperous Armenia” party, is one of the most pro-Russian parties in the Armenian parliamentary elections. The Kremlin is backing Karapetyan, but according to the law, he cannot participate in the elections, Armenian political scientists previously pointed out. The “Caucasian Knot” has prepared a report entitled “2026 Elections to the National Assembly (Parliament) of Armenia.”
Reaction in Russia
In Russia, pro-Kremlin media outlets devoted articles and broadcasts to the European summits in Yerevan, filled with negative assessments and aggressive language.
For example, the NTV channel reported that "the Europeans fed Pashinyan empty promises," while Channel One accused the Armenian Prime Minister of trying to "sit on two chairs." Ren TV, in turn, described the Armenia-EU summit as an event "under an anti-Russian flag."
The Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper declared the Armenia-EU summit a "meeting of the inferior" and a "farce," while the Novye Izvestia newspaper accused Pashinyan of "betraying Russia and the Armenians," calling his diplomacy "dancing with Europe and Zelensky."
Russian officials also adhered to similar rhetoric. For example, the deputy chairman Security Council Chairman Dmitry Medvedev called the summit participants, including Pashinyan, “brainless Russophobes” on his Telegram channel, claiming they “spoke in poor English due to their inferiority.”