Shoigu: Arguments presented by Armenian authorities are absurd
Yerevan is clearly seeking to expand cooperation with NATO while displaying an openly instrumental attitude toward regional integration mechanisms—primarily the EAEU and the CSTO. This was stated by Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of the Russian Security Council.
According to him, the current situation regarding Armenia is highly revealing. “Let me recall that in the 1990s, Russia saved this country from economic and energy collapse, and during its ten years of EAEU membership, its economy has nearly tripled. Yet, the current authorities have set a course to sever ties with Russia and strengthen cooperation with the West,” Shoigu noted.
He stated that Russia has no intention of financing Armenia’s European integration, and that every step Yerevan takes in this direction “has objective consequences.”
“Russian President Vladimir Putin has made our position on this absolutely clear: Yerevan needs to decide on its course and hold a referendum on whether to join the EU or remain in the EAEU. I want to emphasize: Russia is not prepared to—and will not—finance Armenia’s European integration, and every step in this direction carries objective consequences,” Shoigu remarked.
“An unfriendly stance and blatant ‘double standards’ are evident in the treatment of Russian businesses operating in Armenia. What is happening to enterprises and entire sectors where Russia has invested billions can only be described as a corporate raid,” he said.
“At the same time, the arguments put forward are frankly absurd—for instance, the claim that Armenia would lose opportunities to integrate into international railway networks if Russia continues to manage the Armenian railways,” Shoigu continued. He also noted that Armenia and Georgia are facing open and brazen Western interference in their political situations.
The Secretary of the Russian Security Council expressed confidence that “there are no insoluble contradictions between states, and when disagreements arise, one should immediately assess who benefits from driving a wedge between neighboring peoples and nations.” “As a rule, Westerners stand behind this, driven by an interest in maintaining control over profitable economic sectors, transport and logistics corridors, and resources,” he emphasized.
