Russia is intensifying pressure on Armenia, threatening trade and economic sanctions if it pursues closer ties with the European Union. This comes ahead of Armenia's parliamentary elections.

Russia has increased its pressure on Armenia ahead of Sunday’s parliamentary elections, pulling out virtually all the stops linked to trade should its long-term ally persist in its ambitions to join the European Union. Moscow has threatened to raise gas prices, put measures in place to be able to restrict the Russian import of certain Armenian products and warned it may suspend the country from the Eurasian Economic Union.