Armenia could soon kick off preparations for the EU accession bid, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told lawmakers on Monday, despite warnings from Moscow not to pursue deeper European integration.
Armenia is formally allied with Moscow but has been building ties with the European Union for years, amid frustration over Russia's perceived failure to protect it during conflicts with neighboring Azerbaijan.
Russia, which has a military base in Armenia, still wields substantial influence over the small Caucasus country and counts it as a member of its Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
"Armenia must first submit an official application for EU membership," Pashinyan told deputies.
"We may begin this process in the near future, especially given the urgent requests from our EAEU partners," he said.
