Russia does not rule out war with Armenia, deputy PM says

Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk has warned that Russia could go to war with Armenia if this country sees its future in the European Union, which he claims is preparing for war with Russia.

He questioned why Russia should provide support to such a country, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

“Are we going to give money to those who may fight us tomorrow?” Overchuk asked.

The deputy prime minister noted that Russia still has obligations to Armenia within the EAEU, but said they could be reconsidered.

He added that a statement by leaders at the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in Astana includes studying the possibility of suspending Armenia’s membership in the bloc.

“We do not want Armenia to leave the Eurasian Economic Union,” he said, noting that the benefits include tariff-free trade, open markets, low energy prices, and free movement of labour.

He stressed that Russia will not provide Armenia with support measures under the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) or bilateral agreements if the country continues moving closer to the European Union.

“We need to see who wins [the parliamentary elections in Armenia], and then take measures and make decisions. If pro-European forces win, it means Armenia is moving toward the European Union. And then appropriate measures will indeed need to be taken,” he explained.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov