MOSCOW — Russian officials have issued fresh remarks on Armenia’s possible European integration, warning of potential consequences for bilateral ties while also stressing Moscow’s interest in Armenia’s upcoming elections.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk warned that if Armenia joins the European Union, it could lose its air connection with Russia.
“At present, there is no air communication with European Union countries, which means that if Armenia becomes an EU member, we would no longer have air communication with Armenia,” Overchuk said.
He emphasized that Armenian citizens should be aware of the possible consequences of Yerevan’s decision to move closer to the EU.
“This may sound very harsh, but we want the people of Armenia to understand what could happen if this takes place, since decisions have already been made to move closer to the European Union,” the Russian deputy prime minister added.
At the same time, Overchuk noted that the final consequences of Armenia’s potential EU accession remain unclear.
Separately, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia has every right to discuss Armenia’s upcoming elections, citing the deep historical ties between the two countries.
“Armenia is a country close to us, with which we share deep historical roots. The large Armenian diaspora living here numbers more than 2 million people, and therefore Yerevan’s priorities are of great interest in Moscow,” Peskov said.
The statements underscore Moscow’s continued close attention to Armenia’s geopolitical direction, particularly as Yerevan weighs closer ties with Europe ahead of an important political period.
