Putin says Armenia’s EU path should serve Armenian interests

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Armenia’s decision on whether to move closer to the European Union or pursue another path should be made based on the interests of the Armenian people and that such a decision would not damage Armenian-Russian relations.

During a press conference, Putin stressed that the Russian and Armenian peoples have been bound by strong ties of friendship and special relations for centuries.

“Without any exaggeration, the Russian and Armenian peoples have been connected for centuries by ties of friendship and special relations. Russia and Armenia have a special relationship. I told him [Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan] that everything that is good for the Armenian people is also acceptable and good for Russia,” the Russian president said.

According to Putin, it is the Armenian authorities who are responsible for making such decisions.

“Do as you consider right, based on the interests of the Armenian people. You are now in power, and the responsibility for making decisions rests with you. Whatever decision you make, so it will be,” Putin said.

At the same time, he stressed that the issue primarily concerns economic matters.

“Whatever decision is made, it will not damage our humanitarian ties or our political relations, but in this case we are speaking purely about economic components. Everything must be calculated, carefully examined and only then should a decision be made,” he said.

Putin also recalled that the crisis in Ukraine had once begun against the backdrop of attempts to join the European Union.

“We were not against it, but we said: listen, for example, phytosanitary standards are completely different,” the Russian president noted.

He added that he had held an open and frank discussion on the matter with Armenia’s Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan.

“I told him that our conversation on this issue can only be frank, honest and completely open. Today, in practical terms, it is impossible to combine one with the other. Therefore, we will ultimately be forced to almost completely halt work related to economic integration processes with Armenia,” Putin said.

The Russian president cited energy prices as one of the advantages of membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

“In Europe, the price of gas is around 600 euros, while for Armenia it is around 150 euros. But this is not the only advantage,” he said.

According to Putin, investment issues must also be taken into account. He noted that European partners had promised to invest 2.5 billion euros in Armenia, but the timeframe and mechanisms for implementing those investments remain unclear.

“Even so, 2.5 billion is less than 4.9 billion, not to mention the indirect investments of Russian capital,” the Russian president said.

He also stated that if Armenia were outside the EAEU, the conditions for Armenian citizens working in Russia and accessing social services could change.

“That would mean that in order to work in Russia, it would be necessary to obtain a work permit, while access to the compulsory medical insurance system would require living in the country for at least five years. And there are many such requirements. This is a completely different situation. We simply need to speak about all of this clearly, openly and honestly,” Putin concluded.