Isabel Van Brugen is a Newsweek journalist founded on Kuala Lumpur. Its objective is to inform about the Russian-Ukraine War. Isabel joined Newsweek in 2021 and in the past she had worked with Media by adding Daily Express, Times, Harper’s Bazaar and Grazia. He has a master’s degree in newspaper journalism in the city, at the University of London, and a Russian language in Queen Mary, University of London. Languages: English, Russian

You can contact Isabel by emailing i. vanbrugen@newsweek. com or follow him on x @isabelvanbrugen

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

The Armenian government on Thursday approved draft legislation to kickstart the process of the nation’s accession to the European Union, a move which will serve as a blow to its neighbor, Russia.

Newsweek contacted the Kremlin to comment by email.

Armenia with Russia has deteriorated since President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The country sought to be away from Moscow, while deepening with Europe.

In March 2024, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said the country that includes the request of EU members. Armenia is also in the procedure of taking the flight of the Organization of the Collective Security Treaty (CSTE), an organization of the post -Ssovietic states noted as the response of Moscow NATO.

Mirzoyan presented the invoice on Thursday, which Armenia and the EU had evolved “quite extensive and dynamic” relationships in recent years, Armenia News reported.

Armenia has distanced himself from Russia since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. The Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan that “has not achieved its objectives with respect to Armenia, especially in 2021 and 2022. Formed in 2022, the Army Alliance is also composed of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrguistan and Tayikistan.

Pashinyan expressed his frustration because Putin had not been good enough in Armenia’s confrontation with Azerbaijan for the disputed border region of Nagorno-Karabaj.

Pashinyan said the draft legislation “does not mean Armenia’s membership in the European Union in the literal sense of the word,” as the decision on his country’s accession to the bloc would need to be established through a national referendum.

The prime minister said that before a referendum, Armenia will have to talk about a “road map” with the EU.

Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan: “The draft law on the start of Armenia’s EU membership process was submitted for discussion in the National Assembly as a civic initiative, and now the government must express its position.”

“[Relations between Armenia and the EU] have been very rich and covered various sectors. The EU has repeatedly expressed its firm political support for democracy in Armenia. The EU, in fact, participates in ensuring the security environment around Armenia. I mean the deployment of the EU civilian monitoring mission.

“The EU also expressed its preference for the strengthening of Armenian’s economic resilience. Obviously, the EU has very rich democratic traditions, strong democratic institutions, a loose competitive environment, a fashion economy and a complex science.

“You, prime minister, have also told the European Parliament that Armenia is in a position to be as close to the EU as the EU considers that it is.

“On the basis of all this, we propose a positive response. Of course, we also have some suggestions, which basically fear legal techniques. “

Giorgi Koberidze, a political analyst and professor at the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs, in X, formerly Twitter: “The dynamic in the South Caucasus is rapidly changing: Armenia has approved the start of the country’s accession to the EU. Gon a best friend of Russia, Armenia has found Russia to be one of the least reliable partners.

“Rather than fostering Armenia’s development, Russia sought its subservience, installing pro-Russian governments with a pro-Russian agenda. Now, this is all changing.”

The bill to release the EU Club procedure will be sent to the Armenian Parliament for approval.

Isabel van Brugen is a Newsweek Reporter based in Kuala Lumpur. Her focus is reporting on the Russia-Ukraine war. Isabel joined Newsweek in 2021 and had previously worked with news outlets including the Daily Express, The Times, Harper’s BAZAAR, and Grazia. She has an M.A. in Newspaper Journalism at City, University of London, and a B.A. in Russian language at Queen Mary, University of London. Languages: English, Russian

You can get in touch with Isabel by emailing [email protected] or by following her on X @isabelvanbrugen

Isabel van Brugen is a Newsweek Reporter based in Kuala Lumpur. Her focus is reporting on the Russia-Ukraine war. Isabel joined Newsweek in 2021 and had previously worked with news outlets including the Daily Express, The Times, Harper’s BAZAAR, and Grazia. She has an M.A. in Newspaper Journalism at City, University of London, and a B.A. in Russian language at Queen Mary, University of London. Languages: English, Russian

You can contact Isabel via email at i. vanbrugen@newsweek. com or follow her on x @isabelvanbrugen