BISHKEK — Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia could withdraw its military base from Gyumri as early as tomorrow if Armenia decides that it no longer needs the Russian military presence.
“If Armenia believes that it does not need the Russian base in Gyumri, we will leave even tomorrow,” Putin said during a press briefing.
“Is Armenia ready for that? We are not going to impose anything on anyone. But if the Armenian people want some form of Russian military presence, we will stay,” the Russian president said.
Putin also said that Russia and Armenia have agreed to conduct discussions concerning the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the European Union in a calm and constructive manner. He added that he had invited Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to Moscow so that they could “sit down and go through the various issues point by point.”
Among the issues to be addressed in the bilateral talks, Putin mentioned Yerevan’s choice between the EAEU and the EU, as well as matters related to Armenia’s railway system.
The Russian president noted that Armenia receives significant benefits from its membership in the EAEU, stressing that these advantages extend beyond favorable energy prices.
“We are connected with the Armenian people by historic bonds of friendship—and even more than friendship. Our relations with Armenians, with the Armenian people as a whole, have very deep roots, including in this region of the world,” Putin said.
“However, it is simply impossible to be part of both organizations at the same time. Phytosanitary regulations, technical standards and many other requirements are, as things stand today, incompatible,” he added.
