Desperate Putin rushes to ally as they turn West: 'It simply will not work'

 When a country tries to bridge the gap between opposing geopolitical factions, its traditional allies often demand a definitive choice.

Rising tensions

Russian President Vladimir Putin is embarking on a crucial three-day diplomatic visit to Kazakhstan.

He plans to directly confront Armenia’s shifting geopolitical loyalties and its growing ambitions to join the European Union.

Moscow has openly criticized this Western pivot as relations between the former Soviet allies continue to deteriorate rapidly.

Armenia has spent several years carefully cultivating stronger political and economic ties with Western leaders in Brussels.

A strict warning

Domestic frustration peaked after Moscow failed to protect the country during severe military conflicts with neighboring Azerbaijan.

According to AFP, Yerevan previously passed a domestic law formally outlining its long-term goals to seek EU membership.

However, the small nation still hosts a permanent Russian military outpost and remains a member of the Eurasian Economic Union.

Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yury Ushakov revealed that Putin will raise the contentious issue at an upcoming economic summit.

Economic consequences

Ushakov made it clear that Moscow views dual membership in both competing trade associations as completely unrealistic.

“Putin has repeatedly stressed that it is impossible to belong to two associations simultaneously. It simply will not work,” Ushakov stated.

The Kremlin adviser noted that while the trade bloc cannot formally expel Armenia, any country can choose to halt cooperation.

The severe consequences and economic risks of such a dramatic step must be thoroughly debated during the summit, he added.

High stakes summit

The high-stakes regional meeting will feature prominent leaders like Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

An Armenian deputy minister is scheduled to represent the nation at the summit rather than Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Putin will also participate in a major business forum in Astana and hold private bilateral discussions with local Kazakh officials.

Top executives from Russia’s space agency Roscosmos and nuclear giant Rosatom will join the Russian president for these talks.

The two neighboring nations plan to finalize around 15 separate agreements covering vital sectors like energy, economics, and regional tourism.