The EU will compensate Armenia for losses caused by pressure from Russia: it will even import flowers

The President of the European Union (EU), Ursula von der Leyen, told the Armenian Prime Minister on Thursday that, in light of Russia’s pre-election pressure, Europe is stepping up its support for the country: more financial aid will be allocated and locally grown flowers will be imported.

Voters in this South Caucasus nation will go to the polls on Sunday for parliamentary elections, which are seen as a litmus test for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s efforts to reduce Armenia’s dependence on Moscow and forge closer ties with the West.

Ahead of the elections, Russia has stepped up pressure on Yerevan, imposing import restrictions on key industrial sectors and demanding a referendum on the country’s bid to join the EU.

“Moscow is using economic relations as a means of political pressure. We know this tactic all too well. That is why Europe stands firmly behind Armenia“, said U. von der Leyen when announcing an initial aid package worth 50 million euros.

According to the President of the European Commission, the EU has also simplified trade with Armenia in goods subject to sanctions imposed by Moscow, such as flowers, and is supporting the affected industrial sectors.

“A shipment of 10,000 flowers is scheduled to arrive in Latvia tomorrow. More will follow,” she said.

Armenia is officially an ally of Moscow, but is strengthening ties with the EU because it is disappointed, she said, by Russia’s inability to protect it during conflicts with neighbouring Azerbaijan.

This Caucasian country put its security ties with Moscow on hold in 2024, and last year passed a law expressing its intention to seek EU membership, further angering Russia.