Russia Warns Armenia over Energy Supplies amid Growing EU Alignment Tensions

Russia warned it may suspend or terminate discounted energy and raw materials supplies to Armenia if the South Caucasus nation continues advancing toward closer integration with the European Union, according to statements reported on Wednesday.

The warning comes from Russia at a politically sensitive moment, ahead of Armenia’s parliamentary elections scheduled for June 7, in which Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is seeking re-election amid growing geopolitical realignment.

Moscow reportedly signaled it could halt preferential deliveries of oil, natural gas, and raw diamonds to Armenia if Yerevan proceeds with its pro-EU policy trajectory.

According to Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, a formal diplomatic message was sent warning that continued progress toward EU membership could trigger unilateral suspension of key supply agreements, including discounted energy provisions.

Armenia, a landlocked nation of around three million people, has historically maintained close ties with Russia and remains part of a Moscow-led economic bloc, while also hosting Russian military bases and relying heavily on Russian energy imports. Approximately 82% of its natural gas supplies reportedly came from Russia last year.

However, relations between the two countries have deteriorated since Azerbaijan’s takeover of the Nagorno-Karabakh region in September 2023, which triggered a mass displacement of ethnic Armenians and raised questions in Yerevan about Moscow’s security commitments.

Since then, Pashinyan has moved to deepen ties with Western partners, including the United States and the EU, while Armenia has also suspended participation in a Russian-led regional defense alliance.

In a further sign of shifting alignment, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently visited Yerevan, where a strategic partnership agreement was signed.

Moscow argues that Armenia’s EU ambitions conflict with its commitments to Russia-led economic structures, accusing Yerevan of drifting toward what it calls a “hostile Western sphere.”

Russian officials also noted that existing agreements allow Armenia to purchase energy and raw diamonds under preferential terms and without export duties, benefits that could be withdrawn if political alignment shifts further.

Armenia’s Economy Ministry said it had not received any official correspondence regarding the reported warning.