Simonyan: No Threat from Turkey; Armenia Prepared for Any Outcome Regarding Russian Military Base

YEREVAN — The issue of discussions concerning the Russian military base in Armenia was placed on the agenda by the Russian side, while Armenia has stated that it is prepared for any outcome of those discussions, Security Council Secretary Alen Simonyan said during a briefing at the government building.

“This is a political decision and a subject for political discussion that was raised by the Russian side. We are not discussing such an issue and have not discussed it. It is an issue they placed on the agenda, and any outcome is acceptable to us,” Simonyan said.

Asked whether the threat from Turkey would increase if the Russian military base were withdrawn, Simonyan said that, in his assessment, such a threat is nonexistent.

“I do not see a threat from Turkey to the sovereignty of the Republic of Armenia. Since August 8, I generally do not see any such threat, and I do not want to associate the presence of that military base with a threat from Turkey. In my assessment, since August 8, that threat has been zero,” the Security Council secretary said.

On September 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a news conference in Bishkek: “If Armenia believes it does not need the Russian military base, we will leave tomorrow. Is Armenia ready for that? Please, we are not imposing anything on anyone.”

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan subsequently said that Armenia would not object if Russia decided to withdraw the 102nd Military Base stationed on Armenian territory.

Russia’s 102nd Military Base in Armenia operates under interstate agreements and is intended to help deter external security threats to the country.