Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan, during a telephone call yesterday with Russian President Vladimir Putin, did not specify a deadline for a referendum in Armenia regarding the country’s possible application for membership in the European Union.

"No. No specific dates were specified," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said today, answering questions posed by reporters in Moscow as to whether Pashinyan had indicated when a referendum might take place.

Peskov, however, reiterated calls made by Moscow that such a referendum must be held as soon as possible to clarify Yerevan’s position on the matter.

Pashinyan, according to his office, told Putin that Armenia can only hold a referendum on Armenia’s accession to the European Union, only after Armenia submits an official application to the European Union for membership.

On May 29, 2026, the leaders of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)—Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan—issued a joint statement in Astana asking Armenia to hold a fast-track national vote on choosing between EU membership and EAEU retention, citing risks to the bloc's economic security.

Pashinyan yesterday asked Putin to take steps to lift recent Russian restrictions on Armenian exports to the Russia.

Photo: The Associated Press