The Armenian authorities should give Armenian citizens the opportunity to decide on joining the European Union (EU), after which the topic can be considered closed, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, TASS reports.

“Well, then, hold it [i.e. a referendum], and let’s close the topic; period. The easiest way is to turn to the people, ask, ‘What do you want?’ Period,” Putin said, emphasizing that the decision on Armenia’s future foreign policy and economic direction should be made taking into account the choice of the Armenian people.

At the same time, the Russian president disagreed with Pashinyan’s assertion that Armenia has not announced its withdrawal from the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). According to Putin, Armenia’s passing of the law on the launch of the procedure for the country’s joining another economic organization actually means leaving the EAEU, since simultaneous membership in both of these structures is impossible.

“Dear Nikol Vovayevich, we will now debate with you. It is always interesting for me to have discussions with you on any topic, including this one. However, let me still disagree with you on the main issue. You said that you did not declare [Armenia’s] withdrawal [from the EAEU]. The passing of the law on the launch of the procedure for joining another economic organization de facto means a declaration of withdrawal from our structure,” Putin said.

“Being both there and here at the same time is incompatible, that is the problem,” the Russian President emphasized.

Nevertheless, Putin noted that Moscow is interested in maintaining and developing relations with Yerevan.

“First of all, I will emphasize the most important thing, which is what I would like to start with. We [i.e. Russia] have always advocated and continue to advocate the development of friendly, mutually beneficial relations with Armenia, based on the principle of strategic partnership and allied relations," the Russian resident said. "This stems from the core interests of the Armenian people, from the core interests of Russia."