Overchuk estimated the losses in trade with Armenia due to the rapprochement with the EU at $ 5.1 billion

The mutual trade turnover between Russia and Armenia decreased by $5.1 billion in 2025 amid Yerevan's statements about its policy of rapprochement with the European Union (EU). This was announced on April 2 by Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk.

According to him, back in September 2024, the Russian side warned its partners that the rhetoric about joining the EU negatively affects the mood of entrepreneurs.

"These talks about rapprochement with the EU alone have cost Russian-Armenian relations a real $5.1 billion," he told TASS.

According to Overchuk, by the end of 2024, the volume of bilateral trade amounted to $11.5 billion. However, in 2025, according to preliminary statistics, this figure fell to $6.4 billion.

The Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation also expressed the hope that the parties would not allow further escalation of the economic situation, noting that the consequences of a possible rupture of ties are obvious for both countries.

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On the same day, Overchuk stated that Russia sees Armenia's preparations for joining the EU, which is transforming into a military-political bloc hostile to Russia. At the same time, he noted that it is "up to the Armenians themselves" whether they want to join a bloc hostile to Russia.

Yesterday, Russian President Vladimir Putin, during talks with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, said that Armenia's membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the EU was simply impossible. He also noted that Moscow is calm about the development of relations between Yerevan and Brussels.

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