Pashinyan to Moscow: "Threatening Armenia is pointless"

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan commented on Moscow's statements about a possible review of cooperation with Yerevan and an increase in Russian gas prices if Armenia continues to move closer to the European Union. According to the head of government, Yerevan is not concerned about such scenarios, even amid worsening relations with Russia.

"It is illogical to threaten Armenia, for example, with high prices, because there is an answer to these threats: we will have much more money, so much so that it won't seem expensive to us," Pashinyan stated.

He also noted that Armenia already has its own military-industrial complex and sells weapons to "developed countries."

Pashinyan emphasized that the decision on the country's future foreign policy—maintaining membership in the Eurasian Economic Union or moving closer to the EU—must be made by the citizens of Armenia.

"The strongest will decide. Who is this strongest? Citizens of Armenia—you will decide." "My goal is to ensure that you have alternatives, and today you do," the prime minister said at a pre-election rally.

According to Pashinyan, under the previous government, Armenian citizens "had virtually no choice," but the country's current leadership is striving to create alternatives in both domestic policy and foreign relations.

"You will have an alternative in road issues. You will also have an alternative in foreign relations. Not having an alternative means falling into a trap," the prime minister stated.

Earlier, Russia notified Armenia of its intention to unilaterally terminate the agreement on duty-free supplies of gas, petroleum products, and diamonds if Yerevan continues its course toward integration with the European Union.

The agreement, signed in 2013, provides for the supply of these goods without export duties. Moscow stated that the end of the benefits could lead to a sharp rise in gasoline and heating prices in Armenia and create serious problems for the country's jewelry industry.

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