Armenia has always been honest with Russia - RA NA speaker 

ArmInfo. Armenia has always pursued and continues to pursue an honest policy in its relations  with Russia. This was stated to journalists by Speaker of the  National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Ruben Rubinyan on August  26, commenting on a statement by State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav  Volodin.

Volodin accused Armenia of pursuing a deceitful policy and deceiving  its partners in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). "I want Armenia  to stop pursuing a deceitful policy, because if Armenia is adopting a  law on its intention to join the European Union, then why are you  using the opportunities of the Eurasian Economic Union? Why are you  deceiving its members? This is cynical, this is wrong. Just say it!   Are you going to join the European Union? Go ahead! But then you  shouldn't receive preferential treatment here," the State Duma  speaker said in an interview with the Rossiya 24 television channel.

In response, the head of the Armenian parliament noted that Armenia  has never taken steps aimed at worsening relations with the Russian  Federation. On the contrary, as Ruben Rubinyan emphasized, the  Armenian side has done and continues to do everything to maintain  normal, good-neighborly, and friendly relations with the Russian  Federation. In this context, according to Rubinyan, the unfair and  unjustified restrictions imposed on Armenian businesses are  inconsistent with the spirit of Armenian-Russian relations, much less  with the rules of the Eurasian Economic Union, the essence of which  is the free movement of goods, services, finance, and human  resources. In this case, Yerevan sees no reason to speak of freedom.

Regarding Armenia's draft application for accession to the European  Union, the Speaker of the National Assembly noted that its EAEU  partners are doing everything possible to achieve this, insisting on  a referendum on EU accession. Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Armenian  Parliament continued, the moment of EU accession must come, and  certain conditions are necessary for this. "It's simply impossible to  hold a referendum on EU accession without taking the appropriate  steps. This will only be possible if we approach the EU about  accession, receive a positive response, and define clear steps in  this direction. Only then can we discuss holding a referendum,"  Rubinyan said.

Referring to the CSTO, the NA speaker stated that Armenia is free to  choose whether to remain in the organization or leave.

It's worth noting that on May 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin,  speaking to journalists, suggested that Armenia decide on its  membership in the EU and the EAEU as soon as possible, expressing its  readiness to "begin a civilized divorce" if necessary. Yerevan  responded by stating that it would leave the EAEU whenever it deemed  it necessary. And on May 29, the heads of four of the five EAEU  member states adopted a resolution recommending that Armenia hold a  referendum on its continued membership in the EAEU. That same day,  the Russian president stated that Armenia could not afford to sit on  two chairs and needed to make a choice as soon as possible. On August  24, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced from the  parliamentary rostrum that the country intended to apply for EU  membership in the near future. He also expressed his belief that the  country would only hold a referendum on joining the EU or the EAEU  after submitting an application for EU membership and receiving a  response.

On January 9, 2025, the Armenian government approved a draft law on  the start of the EU accession process, proposed by the "Eurakve"  civic initiative. The draft was sent to the Armenian parliament for  approval. On March 26, the parliament adopted it and sent it to the  president for signature. The document was signed on April 4 of that  year. Moscow stated that Russia had conveyed to Armenia that  simultaneous membership in the Eurasian Economic Union and the  European Union was impossible.