The decision on Armenia's possible membership in the European Union (EU) should be made by Armenians themselves, for which Russia proposes holding a referendum, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told RIA Novosti.

He added that this topic could be touched upon by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during their upcoming meeting in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, on the sidelines of the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

"The decision on their fate should be made by Armenians themselves. And that is exactly what we are proposing to them to do: to hold a referendum," Peskov told reporters.

According to him, the holding of a referendum in Armenia on the country's future in the context of relations with the EU or the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) may be discussed at the meeting between Putin and Pashinyan in Bishkek.

Also, Peskov stressed the importance of the upcoming contact between the leaders of the two countries. “High-level contact is always important,” said the Russian presidential press secretary, commenting on the upcoming meeting between Putin and Pashinyan in Bishkek.