Emblem of the Eurasian Economic Union
EuroNews reported the following:
Putin issues ultimatum to Armenia over closer ties with EU
3 April 2026
Moscow will not tolerate Armenia’s closer ties with the EU, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during a rare and tense meeting at the Kremlin on Wednesday, issuing a not-so-veiled threat over Russian gas supplies to the neighbouring country.
“We see that there is a discussion in Armenia about developing relations with the European Union,” Putin said at the meeting with Pashinyan, adding that Moscow treats it “absolutely calmly”.
“But it should be obvious and honestly stated upfront that membership in a customs union with both the EU and the Eurasian Economic Union is impossible,” Putin told Pashinyan on camera.
The Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) created in 2015 includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, and it is meant to enable the free movement of goods, capital and labour among its members.
During the meeting at the Kremlin, Putin followed up on Moscow’s gas supplies to Armenia, saying that Russia now sells gas to its neighbour at a “substantially” lower price than the EU does.
“Gas prices in Europe exceed 600 dollars per 1,000 cubic metres, whereas Russia provides gas to Armenia at 177.5 per 1,000 cubic metres,” he told Pashinyan, adding that “the disparity is vast, the difference is substantial.”
Ever since it made peace with Azerbaijan, Armenia has increasingly said it is seeking closer ties with the EU, with Pashinyan even declaring an intention to join the 27-member bloc in the future.
In a series of countering answers which underline Armenia’s new positioning in the South Caucasus and in Russia’s former sphere of influence, the Armenian premier told Putin that he realised that his country could not simultaneously be a member of both blocs, and that for now it could combine its membership in the Eurasian Economic Union with developing cooperation with Brussels — and that as long as Yerevan can balance the two agendas it intends to do so.
The Armenian leader made it clear that when the time comes to make a choice, it will be solemnly made by the citizens of Armenia, without any interference.
“And when the processes reach the point where it will be necessary to make a decision, I am sure that we, I mean the citizens of the Republic of Armenia, will make that decision,” Pashinyan told Putin, not mincing words. https://www.euronews.com/2026/04/03/putin-issues-ultimatum-to-armenia-over-closer-ties-with-eu
Yes, the price of oil is something Armenia needs to consider. Particularly in light of the Iran war.
Here are quote from Vladamir Putin:
We have discussed this many times. Russia and Armenia have special relationships which have evolved over centuries rather than decades. We are united by our common history as well as our cooperation to solve the challenges that we faced in past times. Crucially, we are also united by civilizational affinity. I have already told you this privately before, and I can say it publicly now: we are always in favour of anything that benefits the Armenian people, and you can always rely on it.
As for economic cooperation, it continues to develop at a solid pace. … Of the US$6.5 billion in trade with Armenia, about US$1.2 billion are agricultural products, including vegetables, fruits, and wine – key exports from Armenia.
In this context, we have also discussed several areas that are of particular importance for the future of our cooperation, such as energy, and agriculture that I have already mentioned.
We observe that there is an ongoing discussion in Armenia concerning the development of relations with the European Union. We remain entirely calm about this, understanding that each nation endeavours to maximise the advantages of cooperation with third countries. However, this must be transparent and articulated honestly, in advance, as it were, “on the shore,” beforehand.
Simultaneous membership in the Customs Union with the European Union and the EAEU is impossible; it is simply untenable by definition. The issue is not even a political one; it is purely economic. Some matters require extensive collaborative efforts that must be undertaken over years. These include differences in the evaluation of specific product groups, their market entry, and phytosanitary supervision for agricultural products. Russia and the European Union have entirely different, markedly divergent requirements concerning phytosanitary matters.
There are also numerous other issues today, at this present moment. Perhaps years will pass, and we – the EAEU and the European Union – I hope this will eventually be the case, given that we reside on the same continent – will be able to resolve them. …
Yet even before the Ukrainian crisis, when we attempted to reach an agreement with the Europeans to collaborate, nothing came to fruition. They adopt an exceedingly rigid stance on virtually every matter, even on issues that seemed minor to me at the time.
Now, regarding energy. I hope the situation will improve there as well. However, currently, as you are aware, energy prices, gas prices, for instance, in Europe exceed US$600 per 1,000 cubic metres, whereas Russia supplies gas to Armenia at US$177.5 per 1,000 cubic metres. The disparity is vast, the difference is substantial. … I understand that you advocate for certain alternative methods for determining energy prices. Nevertheless, this remains a different order of magnitude: 600 compared to 177.5.
If we examine the state of Armenia’s economy, I am unsure, but it seems to me that you share the same assessment: after all, Armenia’s exports to EAEU countries have increased tenfold over recent years – tenfold. I reiterate, ultimately, this is your decision, the decision of your team, your experts, regarding where and with whom to collaborate, and on what basis.
Now, turning to security issues. Of course, the most sensitive issue to this day – and we recognise this, we discuss it often – is everything relating to Karabakh. We come back to it time and again. And we know that you and your colleagues have had, and continue to have, questions and concerns regarding the Collective Security Treaty Organisation, the CSTO. We have revisited this on numerous occasions. But I think it is also clear that, after you recognised Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan in Prague in 2022, it simply became wholly inappropriate for the CSTO to become involved in a process that had taken on an intra-Azerbaijani dimension. …
And I would like to express my hope that, regardless of the outcome of the elections in Armenia, our shared commitment to building and strengthening Russian-Armenian ties will continue. http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/79454
Armenia also relies on military protection from Russia, though many in Armenia have had concerns about that since Azerbaijan took Armenian-connected territory a few years back. As shown above Vladimir Putin addressed that from his perspective.
Now, before going further, consider the situation with Moldova.
Although Moldova is not part of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), in recent years it has moved politically and economically closer to the European Union and farther from Russian influence. This shift has contributed to higher energy costs and supply instability, largely because Moldova has been replacing historically subsidized Russian gas with market-priced European energy sources. It has also deepened internal political and territorial tensions, especially with the eastern breakaway region of Transnistria, whose authorities remain strongly pro-Russian and economically tied to Moscow rather than to EU integration. Russia provides some energy support to Transnistria.
Moldova remains the poorest country in Europe.
The government of Armenia must realize all of this. And both Armenia and Moldova are interested in the EU and the EU is interested in both.
So what will happen?
Some areas, like Armenia and probably at least part of Moldova, will ultimately according to scripture, align with Russia.
Yet, the Bible also teaches that the European Beast power will expand to the south and the east.
Notice that, in Daniel 8, the Bible prophesied that a little horn would mainly expand south and east:
9 And out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Glorious Land. 10 And it grew up to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them. 11 He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down. 12 Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered. (Daniel 8:9-12).
And while the above has had a past fulfillment, this prophecy seems to be dual (compare with Daniel 11:27-39). The European Union has mainly expanded south and east of the Benelux nations (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg)–which is where it initially formed. Now, approximately 451 million people are under a new, single (though not completely united) government, called the European Union, headquartered in Brussels. Ukraine is mainly east of much of the EU–thus its geography is consistent with at least some of it being part of the EU. And Moldova and Armenia are south and east, which is also consistent.
In the old Radio Church of God, the late evangelist Dr. Hoeh taught that this little horn of Daniel 8 was the power that would become the final King of the North:
Turn in your Bible to verse 9: “And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.” …
The King of the North
The little horn in Daniel 8 is none other than the LAST KING of one of the four divisions of Alexander’s Empire. He is, in fact, the final “King of the North” described in Daniel 11. (Hoeh H. The 2300 Days. Plain Truth, August 1965)
Now, it looks like at least part of Moldova will support the Europeans for a time. The same may be the case for Armenia.
However, at least part of those both lands look like they will ultimately align with Russia. Here is something from my free online book Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America?:
Russia, which is both in Europe and Asia, will, for a time, prosper through trade with the coming European Beast (as will Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine). …
Central Asia and East Asia
Those in Asia look to prosper, for a time, from the coming Babylonian power led by the European King of the North.
Yet, the Bible teaches that “news from the east and the north shall trouble” (Daniel 11:44) the European King of the North. This will be from a confederation led by Russia, and will include others, including peoples from Central and East Asia.
Various peoples in Asia are prophesied to be involved with the Northern power (king of the Medes below):
27 Set up a banner in the land, Blow the trumpet among the nations! Prepare the nations against her, Call the kingdoms together against her: Ararat, Minni, and Ashkenaz. Appoint a general against her; Cause the horses to come up like the bristling locusts. 28 Prepare against her the nations, With the kings of the Medes, Its governors and all its rulers, All the land of his dominion. 29 And the land will tremble and sorrow; For every purpose of the Lord shall be performed against Babylon, To make the land of Babylon a desolation without inhabitant. (Jeremiah 51:27-29)
“Today the Georgians, Ossettes, Armenians and others occupy the region near Ararat.”[i] The Minni appear to be an Armenians reference.[ii] …
Peoples prophetically called Medes are also shown to destroy the final Babylon according to both Isaiah and Jeremiah:
1 The burden against Babylon which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw…
17 “Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them,
Who will not regard silver; And as for gold, they will not delight in it. 18 Also their bows will dash the young men to pieces, And they will have no pity on the fruit of the womb; Their eye will not spare children. 19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, The beauty of the Chaldeans’ pride, Will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. (Isaiah 13:1, 17-19)11 Make the arrows bright! Gather the shields! The Lord has raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes. For His plan is against Babylon to destroy it,
Because it is the vengeance of the Lord, The vengeance for His temple. (Jeremiah 51:11)The fact that there are multiple kings of the Medes indicates that powers involved in this end time confederation represent multiple governments. This would seem to include Russia, Belarus, and likely Crimea, Donbas, and some others in Ukraine, some in Moldova, perhaps some from the nation of Georgia, and some in Iran, etc.
[i] White. In Search of … , p. 194
[ii] Ellicott CJ. Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers. CASSELL AND COMPANY, LIMITED, 1905
So, while Moldova and Armenia may draw much closer to the European Union–and may even become part of it–biblically we can expect Armenia to ultimately align with Russia, and likely also parts of Moldova.
UPDATE 04/05/26–we just uploaded the following related video:
Armenia: Eurasian Economic Union or EU?
In April of 2026, Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan went to Moscow and met with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. President Putin brought up Armenia’s discussions with the European Union (EU). He informed him that being in “both the EU and the Eurasian Economic Union is impossible” because of different standards, etc., even though Russia wants better trade relations with the EU. Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that deciding which was up to the citizens of Armenia. President Putin also pointed out that not only is Russia selling Armenia gas at highly discounted prices, that Armenia’s exports to the EAEU have gone up tenfold. The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) consists of Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Could Armenia become part of the EU, consistent with prophecies in Daniel 8? Who or what is the ‘little horn’ of Daniel 8:9? What about Moldova and parts of Ukraine? If so, do biblical prophecies point to Armenia (and at least parts of Moldova and Ukraine) ultimately supporting Russia? Dr. Thiel and Steve Dupuie address these matters in light of biblical prophecies.
Here is a link to our video: Armenia: Eurasian Economic Union or EU?
And as I have written since 2013, at least parts of Ukraine. And since then, parts of Ukraine have aligned with and been annexed by Russia. Armenia will ultimately support Russia.
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? Where did those people come from? Can you totally rely on DNA? What about other peoples? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about Africa, Asia, South America, and the Islands? This free online book provides scriptural, scientific, historical references, and commentary to address those matters. Here are links to related sermons: Lost tribes, the Bible, and DNA; Lost tribes, prophecies, and identifications; 11 Tribes, 144,000, and Multitudes; Israel, Jeremiah, Tea Tephi, and British Royalty; Gentile European Beast; Royal Succession, Samaria, and Prophecies; Asia, Islands, Latin America, Africa, and Armageddon; When Will the End of the Age Come?; Rise of the Prophesied King of the North; Christian Persecution from the Beast; WWIII and the Coming New World Order; and Woes, WWIV, and the Good News of the Kingdom of God.
The Eurasian Union, the Kings of the East, and Bible Prophecy Is there a Eurasian union that will be formed? Is one being formed right now? Are any leaders working on that in the 21st century? Does the Bible teach that there will be a Eurasian union? If some type of Eurasian union is formed, who might it benefit and who will it destroy? A related video would be Is The Eurasian Union Rising?
Russia and Ukraine: Their Origins and Prophesied Future Russia in prophecy. Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end? There is also a video sermon available: Russia in the Bible and in Prophecy as are two video sermonettes Russia, Ukraine, Babylonian Europe, and Prophecy and Ukraine in Prophecy?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach? Here is a link to a video, also titled Is Russia the King of the North?
Ezekiel 38: For Russia & Iran in Our Day? Is Ezekiel 38 about to be fulfilled? Are we close to the battle with Gog and Magog? Four related videos are available: Ezekiel 38 Gog and Magog War: Is it Soon?, Ezekiel 38: For Russia, Ukraine, & Iran Now?, Russia, Iran, Syria, & the Bible (Code), and Gog, Magog, Vladimir Putin, and Ezekiel 38?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is are links to related videos: European history and the Bible, Europe In Prophecy, The End of European Babylon, and Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European? Here is a link to a related sermon in the Spanish language: El Fin de la Babilonia Europea.