MFA: Russia could halt gas supplies deal with Armenia

Russia has warned that it may suspend or terminate its long-standing energy and commodity supply agreement with Armenia if Yerevan continues pursuing membership in the European Union, according to Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

Speaking on the issue, Zakharova indicated that the agreement covering supplies of natural gas, petroleum products, and rough diamonds could be put on hold or unilaterally denounced by Moscow in response to Armenia’s geopolitical shift.

On May 27, the Russian Embassy in Armenia formally delivered a letter from Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev to Armenia’s Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure. The letter stated that if Armenia proceeds with its EU accession process, Russia would suspend or terminate the agreement signed on December 2, 2013.

The 2013 agreement provides for the indefinite removal of Russian export duties on supplies of gas, petroleum products, and diamonds to Armenia. It was originally concluded as part of Armenia’s integration into the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which includes Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan.

Under its terms, Russia supplies Armenia with gas and petroleum products in volumes aligned with agreed indicative balances. The agreement also explicitly prohibits the re-export of these goods to third countries.

By Tamilla Hasanova