Russia and Armenia continue to maintain close allied relations, but those ties remain complicated amid what Moscow describes as Western attempts to increase influence over Armenia and subordinate the country to Western interests, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.
According to Lavrov, while Moscow respects any choice made by its partners, Yerevan must clearly understand that the obligations Armenia has assumed within the Eurasian Economic Union cannot be maintained if the country chooses the path of joining the European Union.
“We respect any choice made by our Armenian friends, but it must be understood that obligations within the EAEU cannot be maintained if Armenia, as has been declared, chooses the path of joining the EU,” Lavrov said.
He emphasized that, because of differing trade regimes and other mutually exclusive arrangements, simultaneous participation in both structures is economically impossible.
Lavrov’s comments echo earlier warnings by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who said Armenia must ultimately decide its foreign policy direction. On May 9, responding to journalists’ questions, Putin said Armenia must choose whether to remain in the EAEU or “civilly request a divorce” and move toward the EU.
Responding to Putin’s statement, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on May 11 that there is no objective need for Armenia to leave the EAEU. Pashinyan said Armenia respects its EAEU partners and its participation in the union. He emphasized that Armenia’s government has adopted a balanced and balancing foreign policy, based on respect and recognition of mutual interests.
