President Vladimir Putin said Russia has only one request to Armenia regarding its possible closer alignment with the European Union, calling for a referendum on the issue to be held as soon as possible.

Axar.az reports, citing TASS, speaking at a meeting with heads of major international news agencies in Saint Petersburg, Putin said Moscow’s position is focused solely on the timing of the vote.

“We are only asking for this, especially since Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan recently said he considers it necessary to hold a referendum on this issue [Armenia’s accession to the EU]. We have only one request — do it as quickly as possible,” Putin said.

It is noted that Putin regularly raises the issue of a referendum, while Armenian authorities repeatedly state that the time for it has not yet come.