Shoigu Accuses Armenian Government of Seeking to Sever Ties with Russia

MOSCOW — Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu has accused Armenia’s current government of pursuing a policy aimed at severing ties with Russia and strengthening cooperation with the West, while also claiming that Yerevan is seeking to expand its interaction with NATO.

“The situation with Armenia is particularly illustrative. Let me remind you that in the 1990s Russia saved that country from economic and energy collapse, while during its ten years of membership in the Eurasian Economic Union, its economy has grown almost threefold. At the same time, the current authorities have adopted a course toward severing ties with Russia and strengthening cooperation with the West,” Shoigu said during a meeting of the presidium of the Russian Security Council’s Scientific and Expert Council.

According to Shoigu, Yerevan’s intention to expand cooperation with NATO is evident. He also accused the Armenian government of taking what he characterized as a “consumerist” approach toward regional integration mechanisms, particularly the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

Shoigu further alleged that Western countries are interfering in the internal affairs of Armenia and Georgia and claimed that the United States and Europe are interested in weakening the positions of Russia and Iran in the South Caucasus while establishing their own influence in the region.

“Russia does not intend to finance Armenia’s European integration, and every step Yerevan takes in that direction has objective consequences,” Shoigu said.

He also referred to Moscow’s position that Armenia will eventually need to determine its strategic direction regarding closer integration with the European Union or continued membership in the EAEU.