Armenia rejects Putin's pressure for EU referendum

YEREVAN, June 1 (AFP): Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Monday rebuffed Moscow's call for his country to hold a referendum on joining the EU, saying ties with Russia were in a "transformation phase."

The Kremlin has upped pressure on Armenia over its rapprochement with Brussels ahead of weekend elections, banning fish imports from Monday in a move that came after Putin warned that the "Ukrainian scenario" began with Kyiv's EU ambitions.

The EU, meanwhile, accused Russia of trying to "hurt Armenia's economy and influence the outcome of the parliamentary elections in Armenia."

An ex-Soviet republic, Armenia has been closely allied with Russia for decades. But frustrated that Moscow did not protect it in conflicts with neighbouring Azerbaijan, Yerevan has in recent years looked for other allies.

This has triggered anger in the Kremlin.