Zatulin: Pashinyan’s old friends may demand a clear attitude toward leaving the Eurasian Economic Union

The authorities of Armenia are unlikely to rush to leave the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Konstantin Zatulin, first deputy chairman of the Committee of the State Duma for the CIS and Relations with Russian Nationals Abroad, said.

According to him, membership in the EAEU is beneficial to Armenia, and it is the main factor in economic growth, which Armenia has shown recently, mainly at the expense of difficulties, sanctions and other problems facing Russia. “However, I do not rule out the possibility that sooner or later Mr. Pashinyan’s new friends, or rather, his old Western friends, may demand that he show a clear attitude in this matter,” Zatulin noted.

According to the official, the Armenian government wants to minimize participation in the CSTO, and withdraw from it altogether in the future.

“Armenia does not participate in CSTO events and, in fact, has suspended its membership. I do not rule out that at some point a question may arise about the fate of the Russian military base in Gyumri. Moreover, Pashinyan, not being the prime minister yet, was actively campaigning for the Russian military to leave Armenia,” Zatulin added.