Eurasian Economic Union & Samvel Karapetyan

Eurasian Economic Union: The Eurasian Economic Union is a Russia-led customs bloc that Armenia is a member of. Vladimir Putin stressed that Armenia cannot join the EU and remain within this union, highlighting a potential conflict of economic interests.

Samvel Karapetyan: Samvel Karapetyan, a Russian-Armenian billionaire and leader of the Armenia — Strong Armenia party, was the main opposition candidate. He is under house arrest for allegedly advocating for the government's overthrow and his party, which advocates for closer ties with Russia, came in second.

Eurasian Economic Union: Russia>>> warned that Armenia>>>'s closer integration with the European Union>>> would make its continued membership in the Eurasian Economic Union>>> impossible, potentially leading to a 14% GDP loss for Armenia>>>.

Samvel Karapetyan: Samvel Karapetyan>>>, a Russian-Armenian businessman and leader of the Armenia — Strong Armenia>>> bloc, is under house arrest on charges of calling for the overthrow of the government, which he rejects as politically motivated. His detention, along with the arrests of his party's candidates, significantly impacts the opposition's ability to contest the elections effectively.