168TVof “Trigger” is the guest of the program Alexander Ananev, retired senior adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

During the program, the developments of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, the upcoming elections in Russia in September, as well as their possible political and geopolitical consequences were discussed.

Special attention was paid to the relations between Armenia and the European Union. The results of the meeting between Nikol Pashinyan and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the prospects of cooperation with the EU, as well as the question of whether Yerevan’s expectations regarding economic support from Brussels were justified were discussed.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, his phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as the current state of Russian-Armenian relations have become key topics. The demands of the Armenian authorities towards Moscow, the situation around the South Caucasian Railway (SCR) and the future prospects of bilateral cooperation came into the center of attention.

The situation around the Eurasian Economic Union was also discussed. Statements about Armenia’s possible withdrawal from the EAEU, demands to hold a referendum in Armenia on the issue of continued membership in the EAEU, as well as Nikol Pashinyan’s intention to raise the issue of “paralysis” of the union due to restrictions on the supply of Armenian products at the EAEU intergovernmental council session were addressed.

In addition, during the program, the position of the Russian foreign intelligence service was considered regarding the European trajectory of Armenia and the possible economic consequences of the republic’s further integration with the European Union.

About the 2026 parliamentary elections of Armenia

Neither Russia, nor China, nor Iran officially congratulated Nikol Pashinyan and the “Civil Agreement” party on the victory in the elections.

In diplomatic language, this means that we do not recognize these results until the end. Of course, we will maintain relations, because economic ties remain. But for us he is not legitimate.

About the situation created around EAEU and SCR

“Russia does not remove the issue of sanctions within the framework of the EAEU from the agenda and is waiting for Pashinyan’s answer regarding the holding of the referendum.

That is why blackmail has started around SCR. There are demands to pay two billion annually or monthly, although the railway is under concession.

This, again, is an international agreement. Billions of rubles have been invested in the implementation of this concession. Demanding money for the use of the railway in Armenia is nonsense.”

About the meeting between Pashinyan and Ursula von der Leyen and the prospects of cooperation with the EU

Von der Leyen came and offered nothing but 52 million. At the same time, Armenia is losing billions. About 94% of all exports and imports of Armenia are related to Russia. Now supplies are virtually closed. even fish no longer reaches the Russian market.

As a result, von der Leyen sent only 10,000 Armenian flowers to Latvia, and that was the end of it.”

About EU promises and European standards

The promises that 80% of Armenian exports will be delivered to the European Union without customs duties are one thing. But Armenian products do not meet European standards. For this reason, the duty-free regime will operate only if the product meets EU requirements. However, now it is not accepted precisely because it does not meet the standards. In Europe, there are very strict standards that differ from the requirements of the Eurasian Economic Union. And it takes years, not days, to adapt the production to these requirements.

Hayk Derzyan

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