Leonid Słucki, head of the Russian Duma abroad Affairs Committee, requested Armenia to make a real choice between the European Union and the Eurasian economical Union on 8 September. He warned Yerevan against losing the marketplace and long-standing anticipation of EU membership. For Poland it is further proof that Moscow treats trade as a tool for political subordination of its neighbours.
Russian politician demands a clear choice
Leonid Słucki, leader of the Liberal-Democratic organization of Russia and president of the Committee on abroad Affairs of the State Duma, told the TASS agency that Armenia cannot simultaneously benefit from membership of the Eurasian economical Union and decision towards integration with the European Union. His message was published on 8 September.
Słucki estimated that Prime Minister Nikol Pasynian had chosen a European direction without legal guarantees of reciprocity. At the same time, he announced a long wait in the EU waiting area and opposed the commercial benefits of Armenia's presence in the economical block headed by Russia. It wasn't a cold analysis. This was a political informing sent by a typical of Russian power.
Trade as a means of pressure
Words fell during real economical pressure. According to Kresy.pl, since 22 May Russia has covered the embargo with flowers from Armenia, and since 30 May besides Armenian strawberries and selected vegetables. More restrictions have affected grapes, cherries, cherries, apricots, plums, peaches and nectarines since 1 June. 2 days later, Moscow introduced temporary restrictions covering subsequent fruit, eggplants, potatoes and dried fruit.
Russia presents the Eurasian economical Union as a space of cooperation, but at a time of political dispute it immediately reaches for marketplace access. This method is well known to the states of the erstwhile empire. economical dependence is intended to warrant loyalty, and an effort at self-policy is given a price to exporters and the full industries.
Erevan between 2 strength centres
Armenia is faced with a hard choice, but which belongs exclusively to its citizens and authorities. The proximity to Brussels does not give an automatic warrant of membership or security. The European Union has repeatedly built advanced expectations for countries that aspire, leaving final decisions for a distant future. So the Russian argument is not completely disconnected from reality, but the Kremlin uses it to defend its own sphere of influence.
Recent Treaty on the Peace of Armenia and Azerbaijan showed how many external interests cross across the South Caucasus. Erevan must prosecute a policy based on the power account, not on the promise that 1 abroad centre will solve all the problems for him. He has the right to search fresh partners, but he should avoid switching 1 relation to another.
Lesson for Poland
For Poland this case is not an exotic dispute in the distant Caucasus. It shows the mechanics of Russian policy: first to bind the neighbour's market, energy and institutions, and then to present sovereign choice as economical disloyalty. The same center wages war in Ukraine and constantly tests the resilience of the east flank of NATO. Russian Tests of Poland and the Alliance you gotta read as part of the same force logic.
Warsaw should support Armenia's right to make its own decision, maintaining a strong realism towards Brussels and Moscow. We do not request to pretend that membership of the European Union is simply a fast remedy for all problem. On the another hand, we must clearly reject the Russian belief that smaller nations are to choose under the threat of marketplace blockade. Sovereignty only makes sense erstwhile decisions are not dictated by either the east embargo or ideological force from the West.
