Russia warns Armenia could lose preferential gas prices outside EAEU

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has warned that Armenia could lose access to preferential gas prices if it leaves the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), noting that Russia remains a reliable energy supplier.

Peskov said Armenian leaders themselves have acknowledged the highly favourable pricing conditions for Russian gas and energy supplies, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

“We have heard statements from the Armenian leadership that there is an extremely attractive, more than preferential price for Russian gas and Russian energy resources. This is indeed the case — Russia remains a reliable and responsible supplier of energy resources to all countries, and especially to its closest allies and partners,” he stressed.

The Kremlin spokesman made it clear that “such a regime is impossible for participants in other integration structures” — referring to the European Union.

“There the pricing category is completely different — it is market-based. This is very well known to our friends in Yerevan,” he added.

Peskov described the question of Armenia’s future path of economic integration as “open,” but recalled that during a visit to Moscow, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Armenia remains a full member of the EAEU while also developing ties in other areas of foreign policy, particularly with Europe.

Meanwhile, Pashinyan said “at some point” a final decision would need to be made and that it would be determined through a referendum by the Armenian people.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov