Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian held a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell in Brussels on April 5.
At the meeting the EU unveiled an aid package for Armenia in the amount of 270 million euros (about $290 million) to be made available over the next four years, with the United States pledging $65 million in additional “development assistance” to Armenia this year.
The Western leaders said the assistance would boost Armenia’s resilience and help diversify its economy, which still remains heavily dependent on Russia.
The high-level meeting in Brussels was watched anxiously from Moscow that has accused Western powers of seeking to oust Russia from the South Caucasus region.
It came amid deteriorating relations between Armenia and Russia mainly due to security challenges that Yerevan faces in the region and that it says Moscow has failed to address as its ally.
Citing the lack of support from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) after a series of Azerbaijani border incursions in 2021-2022, Armenia effectively suspended its participation in this Russia-led defense bloc that also includes Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.
Prime Minister Pashinian has not ruled out that Armenia may decide to quit the CSTO unless the latter clarifies its position on Armenia’s internationally recognized borders.
Amid what many view as Armenia’s drifting away from Russia towards the West there have also been calls in Yerevan for Armenia’s quitting the EEU, a Russia-led trade grouping that also includes Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Grigorian stressed on Thursday that Armenia’s intention to further diversify its trade and economic relations was not directed against any country or union.
“Almost all countries are pursuing such an economic policy today, and this is not being done against any country or union. The policy of diversifying trade and economic relations is not directed against any unions, especially against the EEU,” Grigorian said.
The next summit of the EEU is due to take place in Moscow on May 8. Armenia currently holds the rotating presidency of this organization.
Armenian Prime Minister Pashinian was asked on Wednesday whether he planned to attend the summit. He said that the issue was still being discussed and that the decision would be announced in due time.
Pashinian also told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service on Wednesday that he still did not have a decision on whether he will or will not attend the inauguration of Russian President Vladimir Putin scheduled to be held in Moscow on May 7.
Asked about what his decision will depend on, Pashinian said: “Like in the case with all decisions [it will depend] on numerous circumstances.” He did not elaborate.