Russia said on May 30 it has recalled its ambassador to Armenia for consultations over what it described as Yerevan's growing rapprochement with the European Union, escalating tensions between the traditional allies just days before Armenia's June 7 general election.

The move comes amid a widening rift between Moscow and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's government, which has increasingly sought closer ties with the European Union and the United States while distancing itself from Russian-led institutions.

"The Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Armenia, S.P. Kopyrkin, has been summoned to Moscow for consultations in connection with the steps taken by the Armenian leadership to move closer to the European Union, which are detrimental to cooperation within the EAEU," Russia's foreign ministry said in a statement.

Armenia, a South Caucasus country of around 3mn people that remains heavily dependent on Russia economically, has pursued deeper engagement with Brussels in recent years, arguing that Moscow failed to adequately support it during conflicts with neighbouring Azerbaijan.

The Russian announcement follows a warning issued on May 29 by leaders of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the Moscow-led economic bloc comprising Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia.

In a joint declaration released after a summit in Astana, the presidents of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan said Armenia's moves toward EU membership posed risks to the bloc.

The statement said member states were responding to "significant risks to the economic security of the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (hereinafter referred to as the Union) arising in connection with the preparation of the Republic of Armenia for accession to the European Union, as well as the need to prevent the associated damage to the member states of the Union."

The four countries said officials would assess the implications of potentially suspending Armenia from the bloc's founding treaty.

"Members of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council … will report at the next meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in December 2026 on the possible consequences of the suspension of the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union with respect to the Republic of Armenia," the statement said.

The declaration also called on Armenia to hold a public vote on its geopolitical orientation.

"We share the position on the need to hold a national referendum in the Republic of Armenia as soon as possible on joining the European Union or continuing to be part of the Eurasian Economic Union," it said.

The developments come a week before Armenia's June 7 parliamentary election, in which opinion polls show Pashinyan's Civil Contract party leading over a fragmented pro-Russian opposition.

Pashinyan, who came to power after the 2018 Velvet Revolution and won re-election in 2021, has accused Russia of failing to protect Armenia's interests during its long-running dispute with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan regained control of the territory in 2023, prompting a mass exodus of its ethnic Armenian population.

Pashinyan did not attend the Astana summit, sending a deputy in his place as political tensions mount ahead of the vote. Armenian and EU officials have warned of Russian interference ahead of the vote, claims backed up by a Reuters investigation released on May 29. 

The Kremlin has repeatedly argued that membership of the European Union would be incompatible with participation in the EAEU and has warned that Armenia could face consequences for trade and energy cooperation if it continues to move closer to Brussels.