EU to send 10,000 Armenian flowers to Latvia amid Russian trade ban

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday the European Union will support Armenia with a package of measures, including the export of 10,000 Armenian flowers to Latvia, after Russia imposed new trade restrictions on the country.

Von der Leyen called Moscow’s actions “nothing short of economic coercion” and vowed that Europe “stands firmly with Armenia.” She said the EU is preparing immediate financial assistance worth more than 50 million euros, alongside measures to ease trade for Armenian agri-food products and practical support for sectors hit by Russian bans.

“Russia is weaponising economic relations for political pressure,” von der Leyen said after speaking with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. “A shipment of 10,000 flowers is planned to arrive in Latvia tomorrow. Others will follow.”

The commission chief highlighted that EU support under the Resilience & Growth Plan has already helped 7,000 Armenian businesses and created more than 20,000 jobs since 2024. She also pointed to the reopening of trade routes with Türkiye, including rail links through Georgia, as a step toward Armenia becoming a strategic hub connecting Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia.

Von der Leyen said the EU and Armenia will establish a joint task force to oversee the initiatives, with further coordination expected at the Connectivity Platform Ministerial on June 23.