Armenia challenges Russian trade restrictions through EAEU as exports to Russia decline

(Horizon Media / YEREVAN) — Armenia has formally challenged Russian restrictions on Armenian products through the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), as new trade figures underscore both the continuing importance of the Russian market and the growing economic strains between Yerevan and Moscow.

Deputy Economy Minister Tigran Gasparyan said Armenia has filed a complaint using EAEU mechanisms, arguing that the barriers imposed by Russia are inconsistent with the agreements and principles governing the bloc. Armenia and Russia are both members of the EAEU, which is intended to provide for the free movement of goods among member states.

Russia began expanding restrictions on Armenian goods in May, affecting products including flowers, mineral water, alcoholic beverages, fruits and vegetables. Measures were later extended to additional agricultural products, fish and dairy products, while some Armenian goods have also faced restrictions on transit through Russian territory to other EAEU countries. Moscow has cited sanitary and phytosanitary violations as justification for the measures.

Armenian officials dispute the broader compatibility of the restrictions with EAEU rules. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan raised the matter directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin in July, while Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan discussed removing the restrictions with Russian Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut in August.

The dispute comes as Armenia remains heavily dependent on the Russian market. Armenian exports to Russia totalled approximately $1.44 billion during January–July 2026, down 8% from the same period last year, but still accounting for roughly 36% of Armenia’s total exports. Overall Armenian exports fell 7.9% to about $4.04 billion, while total Armenia-Russia trade declined 20.5% to $3.12 billion.

At the same time, Yerevan has accelerated efforts to diversify its export markets. Armenian exports to the European Union exceeded $516 million in the first half of 2026, an increase of more than 80% year-on-year. The EU Council has also backed temporary measures that would liberalize around 80% of Armenian exports to the bloc, explicitly citing the impact of Russian trade restrictions.

Despite those diversification efforts, Russia remains Armenia’s largest individual export market, leaving the outcome of the EAEU dispute economically significant for Armenian producers and exporters.