Pisces shadow: Russia maintains restrictions on the import of Armenian products
The Russian Federation finds no reason to lift temporary bans on the import of fish and dairy products from Armenia. As "Izvestia" was informed by the Rosselkhoznadzor, Yerevan did not provide documents confirming the actual elimination of violations during its production. The Food Safety Inspection Body of Armenia claims that the republic has provided all the requested materials. In these circumstances, the European Union has agreed on a temporary liberalization of about 80% of Armenian exports. However, experts warn that such a step by the EU could eventually make Armenia vulnerable to European pressure.
What documents does Russia expect from Armenia
The Rosselkhoznadzor has started restricting imports of Armenian goods since the end of May. Then the agency banned the import of "Jermuk" mineral water, alcohol, flowers, as well as fresh vegetables, berries and fruits. In June, almost all live fish and fish products came under close attention. The reason was the unsatisfactory results of the May inspection of trout farms. In July, the Russian side blocked the supply of dairy products, explaining the decision by using raw materials from third countries and milk from infected livestock.
In August, Yerevan handed over all materials on fish and milk to Moscow, but the Rosselkhoznadzor has not lifted the restrictions, "Izvestia" was informed by the Inspection Body for Food Safety of the republic.
— The Rosselkhoznadzor has received a report on a joint inspection in the field of fish and dairy products. The inspection body provided the Russian side with all the requested clarifications and information on the eliminated violations. At the moment, the restrictions have not yet been lifted," the ministry said.
They added that the export of goods subject to phytosanitary control, fish, milk and dairy products to the Russian Federation is closed — the Russian side has not lifted the ban from any organization. At the same time, the Rosselkhoznadzor told "Izvestia" that Yerevan had not confirmed the actual elimination of violations.
— The Rosselkhoznadzor has not provided any supporting documents on the elimination of violations in the production of fish and dairy products by the Armenian side. Only guarantees and petitions were received from the Armenian Inspection Body. This is not enough to remove the restrictions. Information about this has been sent to the Armenian side," the Russian ministry stressed.
Russia has traditionally served as the largest market for Armenian exports of fruits, berries, processed milk and trout. However, the trade crisis has reduced trade turnover by 21.5% in the first five months of 2026, to $2.2 billion from about $2.8 billion a year earlier.
In the Ararat Valley, Armenia has created a powerful cluster of artificial fish farming aimed at the Russian market, where more than 95% of exports went. So, in 2025, the Russian Federation provided $78.4 million of the total $79.8 million in industry revenues. Due to the current blockages, the republic's fishing sector loses 98% of its earnings in an instant. A similar blow fell on the dairy industry, which produced cheeses specifically to suit the tastes of Russians and the Armenian diaspora in the Russian Federation. In 2025, the Russian market absorbed $16 million of the total $20.2 million exports of the entire dairy group, eggs and honey.
Brussels quickly bustled in. In early September, the EU Council reset duties on 80% of Armenian exports (and up to 99% on vegetables and fruits), calling this step a response to "economic pressure from the Russian Federation." However, according to Galina Platunina, Deputy head of the Department "Digital Economy, Management and Business Technologies" at MTUCI, European quotas will not help Armenia instantly: the EU market is not able to quickly compensate for the loss of the Russian one.
To reach Europe, it is not enough to simply redirect trucks. Manufacturers will have to spend heavily on new certification, tracking systems, packaging, and complex, expensive logistics in a highly competitive environment. Such a reorientation will require huge investments and will take years, not months.
Armenia's participation in the EAEU
At the same time, the economic support of the European Union can be linked to the political conditions in relation to Yerevan. Dmitry Sidorov, head of the Department of Foreign Regional Studies at MGLU, noted in a conversation with "Izvestia": The European Union has abolished duties for only two years and is unlikely to extend this step for free. There is a high probability that the conditions will be revised in the future in order to maintain leverage over Yerevan. Now the authorities present the rapprochement with the EU as an expansion of foreign policy contacts, but in reality this step only creates vulnerability.
Meanwhile, Armenia remains a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). However, in recent years, Yerevan has been trying to develop relations with the EU. The republic adopted a law on European integration, held a summit with the EU at the end of May, and distanced itself from projects involving Russia. In particular, the country has frozen its membership in the CSTO, and also raised questions about the extension of the Metsamor NPP, which is supplied by "Rosatom". In addition, earlier, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that the Russian military base in Gyumri is not of "vital importance" for the republic.
Vladimir Putin bluntly stated that Armenia's policy of rapprochement with the EU actually means withdrawal from the EAEU. Moscow has repeatedly stressed that staying in two unions at the same time is impossible, so Yerevan should hold a national referendum.
— We really respect all the sovereign rights of Armenia, but at the same time Armenia is a participant in the EAEU integration process. And, let's just say, a gradual reorientation to other standards will not correlate with the standards of the EAEU in various fields," said Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation.
Russia's concerns are shared by other EAEU member states. At the end of May, the leaders of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan adopted a joint statement expressing serious concern about Yerevan's aspirations for integration with the European Union.
Armenia, however, claims that it does not set itself the task of leaving the EAEU. In addition, Pashinyan notes that he does not see any reason to organize a referendum now, and the obligations within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union do not legally contradict the development of cooperation with the European Union. Since Yerevan has not officially announced its withdrawal from the EAEU, there is room for developing mechanisms that will allow it to combine partnership and balance its position, Dmitry Sidorov believes. At the same time, it is worth noting that Armenia has greatly benefited from membership in the EAEU.: As Alexey Shevtsov, Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council, noted earlier, over the past 10 years of the country's participation in this association, its GDP has grown by more than 180%, and industrial production has tripled.
At the same time, Russia is open to discussing all controversial issues with the Armenian leadership. In early September, the Kremlin announced that Nikol Pashinyan's visit to Russia could take place in the near future, but the exact dates have not yet been determined.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
