Russia warns of consequences of Armenia's accession to the EU
Companies from the EAEU countries will not be able to rely on Armenia, "given the possible negative consequences of its integration with the EU." This was stated by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova. She added that in such conditions, EAEU business structures will reorient themselves to other partners.
 
In addition, Zakharova noted that the responsibility for explaining to the population all the consequences of possible accession to the EU lies with the Armenian authorities. She also emphasized that the work of the trilateral group with Armenia and Azerbaijan has been frozen due to Yerevan's position.
 
The Armenian parliament recently adopted a bill on the beginning of the country's accession process to the EU. 63 deputies voted for the initiative, seven voted against. Representatives of the opposition bloc "Armenia" did not participate in the vote. The document was submitted on behalf of public organizations that collected 60 thousand signatures. According to the Constitution, this is more than enough: 50 signatures are required to submit a law to parliament for consideration.
Последние новости
Ruben Vardanyan Drops Appeal Against 20-Year Sentence in Azerbaijan
Human rights
Ruben Vardanyan Drops Appeal Against 20-Year Sentence in Azerbaijan
25 February 2026

Billionaire and former Nagorno-Karabakh state minister Ruben Vardanyan, sentenced in Baku to 20 years in prison, rejected the legal force of the ruling and dropped his appeal. His family explained that this decision stemmed from the fact that, in their view, the trial was a "staged performance" rather than a proper trial: the hearings were held behind closed doors, without access to independent observers, and the prosecution's motions were ignored. The full text of the verdict was also not released.

Azerbaijani political prisoners appeal to the European Commission to address human rights in the country
Human rights
Azerbaijani political prisoners appeal to the European Commission to address human rights in the country
25 February 2026

A group of imprisoned activists and journalists from Baku's Penal Colony No. 2 has appealed to the President of the European Commission. They demand the implementation of European Parliament resolutions calling for the release of Azerbaijani political prisoners.

Chechnya Leads in Lowest Alcohol Sales
Economy
Chechnya Leads in Lowest Alcohol Sales
25 February 2026

In 2025, residents of the North Caucasus regions consumed the least amount of hard liquor in Russia. The lowest official retail sales figures were recorded in Chechnya (0.01 liters per capita). Other republics of the North Caucasus Federal District also demonstrated modest figures: Ingushetia - 0.7 liters, Dagestan - 2.2 liters, Kabardino-Balkaria - 2.6 liters, North Ossetia - 3 liters, and Karachay-Cherkessia - 3.4 liters. Experts attribute this decline to the prevalence of cultural and religious restrictions, as well as a preference for low-alcohol beverages.

A rally against the Russian government and the war took place in Armenia
Politics
A rally against the Russian government and the war took place in Armenia
25 February 2026

An anti-war rally took place in Yerevan in front of the Russian Embassy. Participants unfurled banners reading "Putinism is evil. No to war," "Putin to The Hague," "Russians against war," as well as Ukrainian and white-blue-white flags.