Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin has stated that it is unacceptable for Moscow if Armenia officially declares and legally enshrines its European aspirations while continuing to enjoy all the benefits of membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

Galuzin made these remarks in an interview with RTVI.

He said Russia has consistently conveyed its concerns regarding the recently adopted law in Armenia on EU integration to the Armenian authorities.

In this context, the Russian deputy foreign minister recalled that on May 29 this year in Astana, the presidents of the other EAEU member states—Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan—adopted a joint statement calling for a nationwide referendum in Armenia to be held as soon as possible on whether the country should join the European Union or remain in the Eurasian Economic Union.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan rejected the proposal, saying that at this stage there are no grounds for holding a referendum on choosing between the European Union and the EAEU. He also said Armenia would continue working within the framework of the EAEU until the point when choosing between the EU and the EAEU becomes unavoidable.

“The four EAEU leaders have instructed that by December a report be prepared on the possible consequences of suspending Armenia’s participation in the EAEU. I am therefore confident that experts will study both the economic and legal aspects. Let us wait for the results of their work. Frankly speaking, we do not fully understand why Armenia’s leadership is in no hurry to ask the country’s citizens for their opinion on this very important issue. I cannot rule out that there are certain opportunistic considerations behind this delay. In this regard, I would like to reiterate our fundamental position, which we have expressed many times before: we consider it unacceptable for Armenia to officially declare and legally formalize its so-called European aspirations while continuing to enjoy all the advantages and benefits of EAEU membership,” Galuzin said.

Responding to the interviewer’s observation that Armenia has not yet officially applied for EU membership and is not even an EU candidate country—meaning that the accession process has not actually begun—Galuzin disagreed, once again referring to the Armenian law on launching the EU accession process adopted by parliament.

The Russian deputy foreign minister also expressed dissatisfaction that Yerevan hosted the European Political Community summit in early May, which was attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The deputy foreign minister was asked whether Russia, by imposing restrictions on imports of Armenian goods, was actually pushing Yerevan closer to European markets.

Ahead of Armenia’s parliamentary elections held on June 7, Russia imposed bans and restrictions on the import of numerous Armenian products, and these restrictions remain in place.

Against the backdrop of these Russian import restrictions, Armenia has been diversifying its export markets toward the European Union and other destinations.

“Don’t you think that through these actions Russia itself is pushing Armenia toward European markets, which is harmful to our economic relations?” the journalist asked.

Galuzin dismissed the question as superficial.

“You know, I don’t know what more is needed for all the countries surrounding Armenia and the media to understand that this is a very serious matter. Naturally, we expressed our concerns to the Armenian side at the time, but the Armenian side continued—and continues—to move closer to the European Union. As for the possibility of finding alternative markets where Armenia could sell its products, when today tens of percent—approaching 100 percent in some sectors—of its exports go to Russia, I find it difficult to imagine how that could be accomplished,” the Russian deputy foreign minister said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has argued that the TRIPP project—a key connectivity initiative in Armenia that Yerevan will develop with Washington—will only benefit from Moscow’s participation.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, in an interview with RTVI, highlighted that the Armenian–Russian–Azerbaijani agreements of 2022–2023 also addressed the reopening of regional connectivity.

“At that time, ways of restoring railway communications were also discussed, including the possibility of establishing links between Armenian and Azerbaijani railways or operating them in a looped system. It is another matter that, through no fault of ours, these discussions and this dialogue within the framework of the trilateral working group were interrupted. Continuing it now is extremely difficult, because Armenia, as I understand it, has promised the American side 49% of the charter capital of the future railway,” Galuzin said.

He expressed skepticism about the implementation of the TRIPP project, referring to Iranian and Chinese factors.

He said that, after the recent U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran, Tehran would be unlikely to welcome a U.S. presence immediately north of its border. He added that some experts believe it is also unlikely that the Chinese side would be satisfied with American control over a segment of the transport and logistics route from Central Asia to Europe, between China and Central Asia, and then onward to Europe.

“Thus, the prospects are ambiguous, and we believe that the participation of Russia would only benefit this project,” the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister said.

He added that, presumably, the project should be built to the same railway gauge as Russian railways in order to ensure seamless connectivity with Azerbaijan.

“The Armenian railways are managed by South Caucasus Railway Closed Joint-Stock Company, which is a subsidiary of Russian Railways. Transit through Armenia, incidentally, as part of the Eurasian Economic Union, must be carried out in accordance with the norms and regulations of the Eurasian Economic Union, from which Armenia, as it states, does not wish to withdraw. Finally, the ‘Trump Route’ will pass through an area guarded by Russian border guards, who for decades have, together with their Armenian counterparts, been securing Armenia’s borders with Türkiye and Iran. Thus, in one way or another, Russia’s opinion must be taken into account, as well as that of the Eurasian Economic Union. Therefore, we believe that the project would only benefit from Russia’s participation,” Deputy Foreign Minister Galuzin said.

The Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) is a connectivity project in Armenia, envisaged under the U.S.-brokered Armenian-Azerbaijani joint declaration signed in Washington, D.C. The project is expected to unlock strategic economic opportunities, create long-term benefits by promoting infrastructure investment, and enhance regional connectivity. An Armenian-American joint enterprise is expected to develop the route.

Moscow has said it has received no indication from Armenia that it intends to withdraw Russian forces from the military base in Gyumri.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, in an interview with RTVI, made the statement in response to questions about the possible withdrawal of the Russian 102nd military base in Gyumri, Shirak province or a potential revision of the agreement in force until 2044.

“No such signals have been received from the Armenian side yet. Moreover, the Armenian side has officially stated that Yerevan is not considering the dismantling of the Russian military base in Shirak. We are convinced that this base is a key element in ensuring the security of both Armenia and the South Caucasus,” Galuzin said.

The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 29 June, USD exchange rate down by 0.06 drams to 368.06 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 0.03 drams to 419.81 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.0068 drams to 4.7315 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 0.07 drams to 486.76 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 823 drams to 48186 drams.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has chaired a meeting on the prospects for the development of green hydrogen production in Armenia, his office said in a press release.

Within the framework of the fifth meeting of the Investment Committee, it was decided to establish a working group on hydrogen, which was to carry out work aimed at developing the green hydrogen sector and identifying its advantages, production methods, and technologies.

The purpose of the Monday meeting was to discuss proposals developed as a result of studies by the working group and consulting companies on the development of green hydrogen production in Armenia.

The legal framework for green hydrogen development and areas of application were presented.

Officials also discussed long-term strategic solutions aimed at decarbonizing the energy system, reducing emissions, and meeting green taxonomy requirements, among others.

Details were provided on proposals for green hydrogen production, in particular the results of feasibility studies on green hydrogen production and integration conducted by consulting companies “BDO Advisory” and “CIVITTA.” Short-, medium-, and long-term scenarios for the development of green hydrogen production were also discussed.

A discussion followed on the presented studies and proposals, with observations made regarding methods of green hydrogen production in the context of the energy transition.

The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of the studies provided by the working group and consulting companies, highlighting the need to implement a pilot project for green hydrogen production in cooperation with the scientific community and through the adoption of international experience. He instructed that a report be submitted in the near future on the work carried out toward the implementation of the pilot project.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has denied reports that he has personal differences with National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the Board of the Civil Contract party, Pashinyan stressed that he has “absolutely no personal issues” with Simonyan.

Asked about Simonyan’s future role, the prime minister said the matter would be discussed and a decision would be made jointly by the political team and Simonyan himself.

“We will compare our views, or, if they do not coincide, we will discuss the issue and see,” Pashinyan said, stressing the importance of having former senior officials within the political team.

“It is very important for us, as a political team, to have not only people who currently hold such positions, but also those who have held them in the past, because that ultimately represents experience. At present, our team includes two former speakers of the National Assembly, former ministers, a former deputy prime minister, and so on. That is political capital, which I consider very important,” the prime minister said.

Earlier, the Civil Contract party nominated Ruben Rubinyan for the post of Speaker of the National Assembly, while Hayk Konjoryan and Vahagn Aleksanyan were nominated for the posts of deputy speakers.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said he sees no need to respond to Israel’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

Pashinyan addressed the issue during a briefing with reporters following a meeting of the Board of the Civil Contract party.

“We see no need to respond because we believe that refraining from entering into the issue of the weaponization of the Armenian Genocide is in the interests of the Republic of Armenia,” Pashinyan said.

On June 28, the Israeli government unanimously approved a proposal submitted by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide.

Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had said he supported the proposal to recognize the Armenian Genocide.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said he expects to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in the near future.

Pashinyan made the remarks during a briefing with reporters following a meeting of the Board of the Civil Contract party.

“There has been no scheduled meeting. I am confident there will be one in the near future,” he said.

The prime minister also said he would discuss the issue of restrictions on Armenian products imposed by Russia with the Russian prime minister during the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Intergovernmental Council meeting scheduled to take place in August this year.