Moscow Criticizes EU, Says It “Has Much to Offer” Armenia

MOSCOW –A senior official from the Russian Foreign Ministry has accused the European Union of engaging with Armenia primarily to intensify its confrontation with Russia, warning that Yerevan’s European ambitions could have consequences for Russian-Armenian relations.

“Armenia’s movement along the so-called European path could eventually lead to systemic changes in Russian-Armenian relations,” said Mikhail Galuzin, head of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s CIS Department.

Galuzin argued that the EU offers no clear alternative in terms of security, economic stability, prosperity, or development, which he described as essential components of state sovereignty.

He reiterated Moscow’s position that deeper integration with the EU would seriously damage Armenia’s economy because it would require leaving the Eurasian Economic Union.

“Simply put, it will not be possible to both keep the cake and eat it too,” Galuzin said.

The Russian official added that Moscow “has much to offer” Armenia, including assistance with constructing a new nuclear power plant to replace the aging Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant.

“If Armenia’s leadership wishes, the new station would meet the country’s energy needs for decades, perhaps even for the next century,” he stated.