Russia’s MFA spokesperson criticises Armenia’s EU, EAEU balancing ambitions

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova has commented critically on Armenia’s efforts to pursue closer ties with the European Union while remaining a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), using a metaphor to question the feasibility of such a dual-track approach.

Speaking on Sputnik radio, Zakharova compared the Armenian leadership’s position to a passenger attempting to alter their destination mid-journey.

“Imagine an airport, a waiting room, a transit zone, a flight re-boarding. Several passengers who have passed all phases of checks, border and passport control, etc. Each of them, literally each one, is law-abiding, has their own clear goals and tasks. And then, when the boarding instruction is announced, suddenly one of the passengers, who seems to be registered for that flight, says: ‘You know, I’m not going to point B-T-B, but… well, probably more like point C,’” Zakharova said on Sputnik radio.

She further questioned the practicality of Armenia’s attempt to align with both blocs simultaneously. Regarding Armenia’s aspiration to join the EU while remaining in the EAEU, she noted that this is “not even an attempt to sit on two chairs.”

“If you want to go to point ‘C’ through point ‘B,’ that’s also possible; it’s called ‘transit.’ But it has its own logistics. When you register for point ‘B,’ you fly, get off there, wish everyone good luck, and go where you need to go; that would be an open choice. But the choice has already been made. Do you want to change your choice? Please. There is a civilised way for that," she said.

By Sabina Mammadli