The European Union (EU) is in a serious crisis, and that crisis has several components: a leadership crisis, which is very obvious, a semantic crisis, and an economic crisis. This was stated by the second President of Armenia, Robert Kocharyan, during his press conference Monday—and speaking about Armenia's current turn towards the EU.

"The European project itself is really in crisis today. (…). There is indeed a crisis of meaning and leadership in the EU.

In my opinion, the EU will not collapse, but it will have to undergo quite serious reforms itself. They may decide on a couple of matters that have already matured, but the rest will be frozen," said the second president of Armenia.

“You're going to a place where you're not expected at all. You're going to a place that's already problematic enough, and the US also acknowledges that it's problematic. And by doing so, you're dramatically ruining your relationships in the system [i.e. the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)] you're in today. You say from here, ‘I'm leaving,’ losing what you have here. There is simply no prospect of entering there [i.e. the EU]; it's zero. Now is this a sensible thing? But we [i.e. Armenia] are doing [it]," Kocharyan announced.

Also, he explained why Armenia is taking this step.

"The perception of the EU in Armenia is extremely positive because people even have the word ‘Euro renovation,’ right? ‘Euro renovation’ means a good renovation. This is a bombshell wrapped up like this, and they will tell 600 thousand prime ministers: ‘This is it! Tomorrow, the day after tomorrow we will be there, this is how you will live.’ In essence, some formula is found for another deception of people. I suppose also in connection with the [parliamentary] elections [in Armenia in 2026]; this will be the biggest ‘flag’ for the pre-election authorities. (…). It is a ‘flag’ that does not lead anywhere. I do not see any other goal.

I don't think they don't understand what's happening in the world to that extent. And the consequences for our country will undoubtedly be very serious. You can't sit on two chairs [at the same time]; those two chairs are very far from each other," the second president of Armenia said, in particular.