Among EU officials, the rationale has hardened into doctrine: “He [Pashinyan] is taking Armenia away from Russia.” It is also a strategic error, one that is making Armenia less democratic and less safe at the same time without loosening Russia’s grip. If Azerbaijan attacks again, Brussels will find its investment bought neither leverage in Baku nor strength in Yerevan. Make full implementation of election observers’ recommendations a precondition for completing visa liberalisation. The EU faces a choice: it can stand with that Armenia — the people who built the state — or with the man unbuilding it.