Armenia is hosting two major European summits this week, signaling a decisive shift away from its traditional ally Russia. The European Political Community (EPC) summit convened in Yerevan on Monday, followed by the first-ever bilateral EU-Armenia summit on Tuesday, drawing leaders from over 40 states, according to official summit announcements. Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney attended the EPC summit as a guest, the first non-European country to participate, according to multiple reports.
A statement from the Canadian prime minister's office indicated that Carney is determined to build new trade and diplomatic alliances after the loss of US markets under Donald Trump. According to the Armenian foreign ministry, other leaders arriving in Yerevan on Sunday included British PM Keir Starmer, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Polish PM Donald Tusk. European Council President António Costa stated that Europe and Canada are more than just like-minded partners and are building a global alliance to defend peace, shared prosperity and multilateralism.
Europe and Canada are more than just like-minded partners -- together we are building a global alliance to defend peace, shared prosperity and multilateralism.
According to summit briefings obtained by Reuters, major discussion topics at the summit include Trump's plan to withdraw over 5,000 troops from Germany and the impact of the US-Iran conflict. According to the European Council's official agenda, the EPC summit is co-chaired by European Council President António Costa and Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan. Ukrainian officials confirmed that Zelenskyy is expected to have sideline meetings with several countries.
' Similarly, political scientist Alexander Iskandaryan told Euronews that in reality, it is a process where Armenia tries to establish relationships with the European Union. According to the EPC organizing committee, the summit brings together leaders from over 40 European states and institutions, making it one of the largest gatherings in the region. Armenia's ties with Russia have become strained due to Russian peacekeepers' inaction during conflicts with Azerbaijan, according to multiple reports.
we are here and we are ready
The turning point was the 2023 Nagorno-Karabakh war, where Russia stood aside, as reported by major media. According to Armenian government records, Armenia remains a member of the Eurasian Economic Union and hosts a Russian military base. 50 per 1,000 cubic metres while Europe pays $600.
A European Union press release confirmed that the EU deployed a civilian monitoring mission along the border after a border recognition deal. Armenia signed a comprehensive partnership agreement with the EU in 2017, according to EU archives. EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos stated in a press conference that Armenia and the EU have never been closer.
In reality it's a process where Armenia tries to establish relationships with the European Union.
In March 2025, Armenia's parliament passed a law to launch the process of joining the EU, according to multiple reports. According to a White House statement, in August 2025, Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a landmark agreement at the White House, including the Trump Route corridor. However, the Azerbaijani parliament's press service said it voted to suspend ties with the European Parliament over a resolution on Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians.
According to Armenian border officials, Armenia shares a border with Iran but has not alleged Iranian missiles have landed in its territory, unlike Azerbaijan. According to Armenian election authorities, Pashinyan's Civil Contract party faces parliamentary elections in June 2026 and seeks a big win to continue peace efforts. Yerevan hopes the first bilateral EU-Armenia summit will result in extra funding and visa liberalization, as reported by major media.