Armenia Shifts Toward EU After Decades in Moscow’s Embrace

The former Soviet satellite hosted its first bilateral summit with the European Union on May 5, as it loosens its ties with Russia.

(L–R) European Council President Antonio Costa, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin hold up a commemorative stamp at a press conference during the European Political Community summit in Yerevan, Armenia, on May 4, 2026. Anthony Pizzoferrato/AP

The European Union and Armenia have signed a joint declaration bringing them closer and supporting the former Soviet republic’s “sovereignty, resilience, and comprehensive reform agenda.”

The declaration, along with the signing of a connectivity partnership, is another sign of Armenia slipping out of Russia’s orbit.