Putin to Press Armenia Over EU Bid at 3-Day Kazakhstan Summit

10 articles · Updated · The Moscow Times · May 26

Wednesday’s three-day Kazakhstan visit will put Vladimir Putin at a Eurasian Economic Union summit where he plans to confront Armenia’s stated goal of joining the EU.
Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said Moscow sees EU membership as incompatible with the Russia-led bloc, arguing a country cannot belong to both and must weigh the risks of ending cooperation.
Armenia passed a law last year declaring its intention to seek EU membership, though it has not filed a formal application and still hosts a Russian military base.
The trip also includes bilateral talks with Kazakh officials and a forum in Astana, with about 15 Russia-Kazakhstan documents on energy, economics and tourism expected to be signed.

Is Putin's visit a last-ditch effort to salvage the crumbling Eurasian Economic Union?

Is Kazakhstan's nuclear deal with Russia a strategic partnership or a high-stakes gamble on its own sovereignty?

Can Armenia escape Russia's orbit for the EU without facing severe consequences from Moscow?