Russia could take a tougher stance toward Armenia by imposing restrictions on money transfers and transport links and increasing energy prices, including the cost of natural gas.

Moscow believes Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is attempting to buy time through negotiations over continued access to the Russian market, according to Armenia Today.

Pashinyan may seek to postpone a referendum on Armenia’s possible EU membership by two to three years. During that period, Yerevan would reportedly aim to diversify its exports and gradually shift the country’s economy away from the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) toward the European Union.

Against this backdrop, the Russian authorities have decided to pursue a tougher policy toward Armenia. Possible measures include the deportation of Armenian citizens working in Russia, restrictions on money transfers and transport links, as well as higher energy prices, particularly for gas.

The issue of Armenia’s future economic and political alignment has become increasingly prominent in recent talks between Moscow and Yerevan.

At a meeting in Bishkek on September 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Pashinyan disagreed over whether Armenia’s potential EU membership would be compatible with its EAEU membership. Putin said Yerevan should “make a decision faster,” while Pashinyan responded that the time for such a choice “has not yet come.”

On September 3, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Armenia’s desire to join the EU would “very soon” disappear. The same day, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk said Armenia would decide for itself whether to seek EU membership, while Russia would determine whether to maintain economic preferences for the country.

Overchuk later described Yerevan’s attempts to redirect its economy toward other markets as unsuccessful.