- 5 hours ago
In April of 2026, Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan went to Moscow and met with Russia's President Vladimir Putin. President Putin brought up Armenia's discussions with the European Union (EU). He informed him that being in "both the EU and the Eurasian Economic Union is impossible" because of different standards, etc., even though Russia wants better trade relations with the EU. Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that deciding which was up to the citizens of Armenia. President Putin also pointed out that not only is Russia selling Armenia gas at highly discounted prices, that Armenia's exports to the EAEU have gone up tenfold. The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) consists of Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Could Armenia become part of the EU, consistent with prophecies in Daniel 8? Who or what is the 'little horn' of Daniel 8:9? What about Moldova and parts of Ukraine? If so, do biblical prophecies point to Armenia (and at least parts of Moldova and Ukraine) ultimately supporting Russia? Dr. Thiel and Steve Dupuie address these matters in light of biblical prophecies.
A written article of related interest is available titled 'Vladimir Putin says Armenia must decide between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the EU' URL: https://www.cogwriter.com/news/prophecy/vladimir-putin-says-armenia-must-decide-between-the-eurasian-economic-union-eaeu-and-the-eu/
A written article of related interest is available titled 'Vladimir Putin says Armenia must decide between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the EU' URL: https://www.cogwriter.com/news/prophecy/vladimir-putin-says-armenia-must-decide-between-the-eurasian-economic-union-eaeu-and-the-eu/
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00:04Greetings, friends. This is Steve Dupuy for the Bible News Prophecy Program with Dr. Bob Thiel,
00:09bringing you news and analysis of world events in light of Bible prophecy. Dr. Thiel, I hear in
00:16the news that Russia is not happy with Armenia's closer ties to the European Union. What happened?
00:22Well, Armenia's prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan, went to Russia and he met with
00:29its president, Vladimir Putin, this past week. Euronews reported the following headline,
00:36Putin issues ultimatum to Armenia over closer ties with the EU. And they quote Vladimir Putin for
00:43saying, we see there's a discussion in Armenia about developing relations with the European Union.
00:49But it should be obvious and honestly stated up front that membership in a customs union with
00:55both the EU and Eurasian Economic Union is impossible. Anyway, the Russian Eurasian Economic Union was
01:06created in 2015. It includes Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Frikshistan. It is meant to enable
01:14the free movement of goods, capital, and labor amongst its members. Okay. And during the meeting
01:20at the Kremlin, Putin mentioned to Armenia that they're getting a big discount on gas because of
01:28Russia. But anyway, since it made peace with Azerbaijan, Armenia has increasingly set its
01:34wants closer ties to the EU. And the prime minister of Armenia told Putin that he knows it can't be
01:43both
01:43blocks. But for now, it would like to combine its membership with the Eurasian Economic Union with
01:49developing cooperation with the EU. As long as it can balance both agendas, it wants to do so.
01:58Armenian leader, this is from EU news, made it clear that when the time comes to making the choice, it
02:04will be
02:05made solemnly by the citizens of Armenia. Quote, and when the process has reached the point where it'll be
02:12necessary to make a decision, I'm sure we, I mean the citizens of the Republic of Armenia, will make that
02:17decision, he told Putin, not mincing words. End quote. Well, anyway, the price of energy is certainly
02:26something that Armenia needs to consider, particularly in light of the Iran war.
02:32It doesn't sound like Armenia is willing to back down from its pursuit of closer ties with the EU.
02:39What was Russia's response?
02:41Well, I read what Vladimir Putin said, and let me read some of his statements. He said, Russia and
02:49Armenia have a special relationship, which has evolved over centuries. We're united by our common
02:54history, as well as our cooperation to solve challenges. Crucially, we're united by civilizational
03:02affinity. I've said this in private before, and I'll say it publicly now. We're always in favor of
03:07anything that benefits the Armenian people. You can always rely on it. As far as economic cooperation,
03:14we take Armenian exports like vegetables, fruits, and wines,
03:20and we supply energy and other types of things. But we observe there's an ongoing discussion in Armenia
03:27concerning the development of relations with the European Union. We remain entirely calm about this,
03:33understanding each nation endeavors to maximize the advantages of cooperation to third countries.
03:40However, this must be transparent. Simultaneous membership in the customs union with the European
03:48Union and the Eurasian Economic Union is impossible. It's simply untenable by definition. This isn't a
03:55political decision. It's purely economic. Such matters require extensive
03:59and collaborative efforts must be taken over years. This includes specific product group evaluations,
04:07their market entry, phytosanitary supervision for agricultural products. And Russia and the European
04:14Union have completely different and markedly different requirements for such things.
04:21So, perhaps in years this will pass and we in the Eurasian Economic Union and the European Union
04:28will be able to center on the same continent and be able to resolve them.
04:32They said even before the Ukrainian crisis, we tried to do with the Europeans, but they were just too rigid.
04:38Then Putin says, now regarding energy, I hope that situation will improve as well. But in Europe,
04:45gas prices exceed U.S. dollars 600, 600 U.S. dollars per thousand meters. But we supply
04:52gas to Armenia for only 177 dollars per thousand cubic meters. That's a vast difference, a major magnitude.
05:04And if you start to look at the state of Armenia's economy, it seems you should have the same assessment.
05:11And by the way, he says, Armenia's exports to the Eurasian Economic Union countries have increased
05:19tenfold over recent years. Tenfold. So, then he talked about security issues. And he said that,
05:28you know, even though Russia and Armenia are in something called the Collective Security Treaty Organization,
05:36when Armenia recognized Karifa as part of Azerbaijan in Prague in 2022, it was simply inappropriate
05:45for our organization to become involved in this.
05:50That being said, he said, I'd like to express my hope, regardless of the outcome of the election in
05:56Armenia, of our shared commitment to building and strengthening Russian-Armenian ties will continue.
06:03That's a huge difference in gas prices alone that benefit Armenia. Is there anything else going on?
06:10Yeah, well, Armenia relies on Russia for military protection, even though, because of what happened
06:17with Azerbaijan, some of them are wondering about it. But that's why Vladimir Putin addressed it.
06:22Now, the other thing to consider is Moldova. Moldova is not part of the Eurasian Economic Union,
06:30and it basically told Russia it wants to go to the EU. And Russia cut them off on oil,
06:36and it's affecting them quite a bit. Now, the far eastern part of Moldova actually wants to become
06:42part of Russia, and Russia is actually still supporting them. But the rest of Moldova still,
06:47despite its overtures to the European Union, remains the poorest country in Europe. And of course,
06:53the government of Armenia must realize all of this. Yet both Armenia and Moldova are interested in the
06:58EU, and the EU is interested in both of them. Well, it seems like more tension is building between
07:05nations. What, in your opinion, is likely to happen next? In the long run, Armenia, at least part of
07:12Moldova, according to the Bible, will align with Russia. But the Bible teaches that the European
07:18beast power will expand from to the south and to the west. You can read that in Daniel chapter 8.
07:25It talks about a little horn that will expand. Starting in verse 9.
07:30Out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east,
07:35and toward the glorious land. Verse 11. He exalted himself as high as the prince of the host,
07:41and by him his daily sacrifices were taken away, and the sanctuaries cast down.
07:46And then he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered.
07:54Who or what is the little horn that grows exceedingly towards the south and east,
08:00takes away sacrifices, and then casts truth to the ground?
08:04Well, basically, it's the coming European beast power. The European Union itself expanded mostly
08:11south and east of the Benelux nations, which is where it originally formed. Now we've got about 450
08:17million people under a new single, though not completely united, government. And you've got places
08:24like Ukraine, Moldova, and Armenia that are based into the south and east as well. So that's consistent
08:32with this. Now the old radio church of God talked about the final king of the north,
08:38and he cited, Dr. Herman Haidt cited Daniel 8 verse 9. And then he says,
08:46the little horn in Daniel 8 is none other than the last king, the final king of the north described
08:53in
08:53Daniel chapter 11. So the position of the radio church of God and the continuing church of God as
09:01well. And I mentioned that I think at least part of Moldova will support Europe for a while, maybe even
09:09part of Armenia. But ultimately, that's going to switch. Now, I'm going to read something from a free
09:15book we have, Lost Tribes and Prophecies. Here's what we've got. Russia, which is both in Europe and
09:22Asia, will for a time prosper through trade with the coming European beast, as will Belarus, Moldova, and
09:29Ukraine, Central Asia, and East Asia. Those in Asia will prosper for a time from the coming
09:35Babylonian power led by the European king of the north. Yet the Bible teaches, Daniel 11 44,
09:42that news from the east and north will trouble him. That's the European king of the north.
09:47This will be from a confederation led by Russia that will include others, including peoples in
09:53Central and East Asia. Various people in those regions are to be involved with the northern power,
10:00who's called the king of the Medes, in Jeremiah 51, starting in verse 27.
10:07And let's all read that. Set a banner in the land. Blow the trumpet among the nations. Prepare the
10:12nations against her. Call the kingdoms together against her. Ararat, Mini, Askunez. Appoint a general
10:19against her. Cause their horses to come up like bristly locusts. Prepare against the nations. With the
10:24kings of the Medes, its governors, its rulers, all the land of his dominion. And all the land will
10:30tremble and sorrow. And every purpose of the Lord will be performed against Babylon to make the land
10:36of Babylon a desolation without an inhabitant. And who are these people? Well, today, the Georgians,
10:45the Armenians, and others occupy the region near Ararat. And many people appear to be Armenians. And
10:53people prophetically called Medes are shown to destroy the final end-time Babylon in various
11:01parts of the Bible. Not just what I read, but for example, in Isaiah 13, we read about the burden
11:10against Babylon. Verse 17, I will stir up the Medes against them. They won't regard silver. As for gold,
11:17they won't delight in it. And their bows will dash young men to pieces. Their eye will not spare
11:23children. In Babylon, the glory of the kingdoms, the pride of the Chaldeans would be like the God
11:30overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. And then also go back to Jeremiah 51, verse 11. It says,
11:40Make the arrows bright. Gather the shields. For the Lord has raised up the spirit of the kings of the
11:47Medes. For his plan is against Babylon to destroy it. Because it's vengeance of the Lord, the vengeance
11:53of the temple. Now, I've read different passages that say there's multiple kings of the Medes. Well,
11:59who are the Medes? Well, some of the Medes are in Ukraine. They're in Russia. I think they're
12:06part of Moldova. He said, What about Armenia? Well, we read the passage that said that people
12:12from Armenian lands are also going to join with the kings of the Medes.
12:18And also, I think there are Medes in Belarus. Okay. And I would say like in Crimea and Donbass.
12:26Okay. And probably even some in Georgia, maybe in some in Iran. So what's going to happen?
12:35In Moldova and in Armenia, they're looking at, should we get closer to the European Union?
12:43And they're going to probably get somewhere closer. Again, Daniel 8 prophecy points to things going in
12:50that particular direction. And they even might temporarily be part of the end time beast power.
12:59But back in 2013, I warned that at least parts of Ukraine were going to end up supporting Russia.
13:07And right now, you've got the Donbass, much of it anyway, and Crimea doing that. In the end,
13:15I believe Armenia is going to support Russia, even though, again, it may be part of the European
13:21beast for a while. We'll see. But these lands, right now, they're looking at their short-term
13:27economic, what they think is their benefit. But the reality is when you look what the Bible teaches,
13:33it teaches that the European power is going to go down to the south and east. So Moldova, Armenia,
13:39and Ukraine are kind of in there. But we also see, the Bible says, the people from Ararat and the
13:48Means are going to get together and go against the end time daughter of Babylon, which is what the
13:53Babylon you read about in Revelations 17 and 18, the European king of the north, same one, the same
14:00little horn that we were talking about earlier. Anyway, the reality is you watch rural events right
14:05now. They actually are aligning with properly understood biblical prophecies.
14:11Thank you, Dr. Thiel. For more interviews with Dr. Thiel, in addition to written, as well as audio
14:16articles, visit our website at BibleNewsProphecy.net. This is Steve Dupuis for the Bible News Prophecy Program.