Russia accuses West of blackmailing Armenia to curb Russian influence

The West is pursuing a policy of “blackmail” toward Armenia in an effort to eliminate the “Russian factor,” Russia’s foreign ministry told RIA Novosti, saying the approach is fully in line with what it described as the West’s “dirty tricks” aimed at pushing Russia out of the South Caucasus.

The ministry said Yerevan’s claims that Russia’s railway concession is preventing Armenia from participating in logistics initiatives are untrue.

According to the ministry, the West is demanding that Armenia remove the “Russian factor” from the transport sector while promising investment and participation in projects whose economic viability is “hardly evident.”

Russia’s foreign ministry stressed that all necessary clarifications on the issue have been provided at various levels. However, it said, the Armenian side has struggled to offer counterarguments.

The ministry also said that partners normally discuss existing problems at the negotiating table rather than “making public statements, especially when there is a desire to find a friendly solution.”