Russian authorities view Yerevan's recent policy shifts, particularly its efforts toward integration with the West, as actions directed against the integration unions in which Moscow participates. According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, this statement was made by Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov during his speech at the "Primakov Readings" forum.
According to Ushakov, proponents of a "rules-based order" are attempting to undermine the integration structures that include Russia. He emphasized that attempts to alter the history and geography of nations that have lived side-by-side and supported each other for centuries are illusory.
The Kremlin has previously stated that Armenia's desire for integration with the European Union (EU) is its sovereign right. However, official Moscow stresses that this process should not be carried out at the expense of the financial resources of Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states.
It should be recalled that Russian President Vladimir Putin, during a press conference held in May, stated that Yerevan must choose between the EU and the EAEU, not excluding the possibility of holding a referendum on the matter. For his part, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan noted that his country remains a full member of the EAEU and that a referendum would only be possible if an objective necessity arises.
At the EAEU summit held in Astana, leaders of member countries emphasized the importance of Armenia making a decision regarding its future integration direction soon. In his concluding remarks at the summit, Putin warned that if Armenia were to leave the EAEU, it could potentially lose approximately 14 percent of its GDP.
