MOSCOW, April 3, 2026 Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Armenia cannot simultaneously join a customs union with both the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union during talks with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Moscow. Putin argued that membership in such an arrangement is "impossible by definition," according to verified sources. The meeting focused on Armenia’s relations with the EU, with Putin emphasizing Russia’s economic influence by noting that gas prices in Europe average $600 per 1,000 cubic meters, while Russia supplies Armenia at $177.5 per 1,000 cubic meters. Pashinyan responded by highlighting Armenia’s democratic framework, stating that individuals holding Russian passports are constitutionally barred from running for parliament or prime minister. He also affirmed Armenia’s commitment to free social networks and unrestricted governance. The discussions come amid Putin’s broader efforts to isolate Russia from the global internet, a policy reiterated during the talks. The Kremlin has yet to release further details on potential follow-up negotiations. Armenia has sought to balance ties between Russia and the EU, particularly as regional tensions persist following Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The meeting underscores the geopolitical complexities facing former Soviet states.