Putin and allies say Armenia should hold EU referendum soon

Russian President Vladimir Putin and the leaders of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan signed a joint statement urging Armenia to hold a nationwide referendum as soon as possible to decide whether to join the European Union or remain in the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

The statement Issued following an EAEU summit in Astana, the declaration asserts that Armenia must make a firm choice between the two blocs.  Meanwhile, the Armenian government has not formally committed to the referendum proposed by Russia.