Putin, Pashinyan to discuss Armenia’s EU ambitions, Kremlin aide says

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan are expected to discuss Armenia’s European orientation at their upcoming meeting, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said.

Ushakov said Russia remained concerned that Armenia was seeking closer ties with the European Union while continuing to benefit from cooperation within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

“We continue to insist that Armenia cannot seek membership of the EU while simultaneously receiving enormous benefits from cooperation within the EAEU,” Ushakov said.

He added that the issue would be discussed by Putin and Pashinyan.

Ushakov also said the talks would take place against the backdrop of what he described as mass arrests of Armenian opposition leaders, including politicians who have advocated closer ties between Armenia and Russia.

“This issue will undoubtedly be raised,” Ushakov said, adding that Moscow was “greatly concerned” by the Armenian leadership’s policy.

He also expressed regret that politicians sympathetic to Russia were being held behind bars.

By Aghakazim Guliyev