Deputy PM questions Armenia’s readiness to join anti-Russian bloc

Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk raised questions about Armenia’s potential accession to the European Union, noting that Yerevan must consider the EU’s evolving nature as it shifts from an economic to a military-political union.

He emphasised that any formal negotiations would take years and require careful attention to the EU’s changing trajectory, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

“If at some point they officially begin such negotiations, they will take many years. It will, of course, be necessary to observe the EU’s trajectory and what it is becoming. Here, it is also important to follow statements coming from the European Commission and Brussels, which indicate that the EU is transforming from an economic union into a military-political one. This must be taken into account, as the EU’s nature is changing before our eyes,” Overchuk told journalists.

He questioned whether Armenians are ready to join a military-political bloc currently positioned aggressively toward Russia. “Perhaps this is also a question the Armenian people will need to ask themselves. In any case, it has been repeatedly stated that choosing one or another integration union is always a decision for the Armenian people,” the deputy PM stated.

Overchuk added that Armenia cannot simultaneously belong to two integration blocs. “At some point, decisions will have to be made. This has been discussed both in Russia and Armenia. Nikol Pashinyan has addressed this: everyone understands that Armenia cannot simultaneously be in two integration unions. Therefore, if such a choice is made, it will be comprehensive, taking into account the dynamics we are witnessing in the EU’s transformation,” he concluded.

By Jeyhun Aghazada