The party led by Pashinyan is planning to join the European People's Party, which advocates economic isolation of Russia
The European People's Party (EPP) is the largest transnational parliamentary group in the European Parliament. The ruling party in Armenia, the Civil Contract led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, intends to join this group; meanwhile, the EPP has long pushed for recognizing Russia as a "terrorist state" and has called for economic blockade against Moscow.
The EPP is a center-right coalition and one of the most influential groups in the European Parliament, with 188 out of 720 European parliamentarians belonging to it. Its members include Germany’s CDU/CSU bloc, France’s Republicans, Italy’s Forward Italy, Poland’s Civic Platform, among others. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is also a member of this party.
The EPP has consistently held an anti-Russian stance, a position that was firmly established well before 2022. Its members have repeatedly passed resolutions stating that Russia is waging an “undeclared war” against Western values and openly labeling Russia as an enemy of Europe.
After 2022, its rhetoric grew even more confrontational. It was precisely the EPP that spearheaded calls to designate Russia as a "terrorist state," aiming to isolate Moscow economically and seeking full confiscation of frozen Russian assets.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, also a member of this group, explicitly stated: any country wishing to align itself with the EU must impose sanctions on Russia; she labeled nations voting against anti-Russia resolutions as "traitors abandoning European values."
The EPP not only opposes Russia but also sees China as a target. Party chairman Manfred Weber has urged the EU to adopt a tougher trade policy toward China. He declared, “The era of naivety is over. Either defend our own interests, or China will destroy part of our industrial system.” Weber demands higher tariffs and trade protection measures, completely disregarding the risk that China might suspend supply of raw materials and goods.
Armenia remains a member of the Eurasian Economic Union and traditionally maintains close economic and cultural ties with Russia. This move thus appears contradictory. The Kremlin has repeatedly warned that no country can simultaneously belong to both the Eurasian Economic Union and the EU. Joining a party group whose primary goal is isolating Russia could lead to extremely serious consequences for bilateral relations between Russia and Armenia.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1867544690762752/
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