Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has stated that his government would not object if Russia decides to withdraw its military base from Armenia.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, citing reports from Armenpress, Pashinyan addressed the status of the 102nd Russian military base during a recent briefing.
"We have not raised the issue of the Russian military base during this period, and we do not consider the presence of the 102nd Russian military base on Armenian territory a necessity. If Russia decides to withdraw the military base from Armenia, we will not object to it. However, if they express a desire to stay, we are prepared to discuss that as well. But throughout this entire period, we have not initiated these discussions," Pashinyan stated.
This development follows recent remarks by Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the military presence in Armenia, made after his meeting with the Armenian Prime Minister in Bishkek. President Putin emphasized that Russia has no intention of imposing its military presence on Armenia. He noted that if Armenia determines there is no need for the Russian military base, the Russian troops could withdraw from the country.
The 102nd Russian military base, located in Gyumri, has been a cornerstone of the security architecture between Moscow and Yerevan since the early 1990s. The base's future has become a subject of increased diplomatic scrutiny amid shifting geopolitical dynamics in the South Caucasus region, particularly following the restoration of Azerbaijan's sovereignty over the Garabagh region.
