Moscow said on Friday that EU integration is Armenia’s sovereign right, but that the process cannot take place “at the expense of the financial resources” of fellow members of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

“Moving toward the EU is Armenia’s absolute sovereign right; however, Armenia cannot and must not do so at the expense of the finances of EAEU countries. That is, it must do it at its own expense,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

He warned that sooner or later Armenia could face a situation in which regulatory norms adopted in the country would contradict those of the EAEU.

Earlier, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that Armenia does not intend to withdraw from the EAEU and will continue to use its membership in the Union to protect the country’s economic interests.