The official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova, has issued a sharp response to statements made by the Armenian leadership regarding the "South Caucasus Railways" (SCR) concession.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, Zakharova dismissed Yerevan's claims that the existing Russian concession hinders Armenia's participation in international logistics projects as "shameful" and lacking factual basis.
"It is simply shameful to hear all of this. The Armenian side is struggling to provide arguments because they have no substantial evidence," Zakharova stated, noting that Moscow has repeatedly provided explanations to Armenia on this matter.
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, the Armenian leadership is currently operating under significant pressure from Western nations. Zakharova alleged that Western capitals are demanding that Yerevan eliminate the "Russian factor" from its transport sector, promising millions of dollars in investments for projects whose economic viability remains questionable.
The diplomat warned that such a policy could ultimately harm Armenia's own interests. She emphasized that if Yerevan intends to pursue this path, it should first secure tangible results before abandoning existing partnerships.
The issue of reviewing the current concession with Russia regarding the management of Armenian railways has gained prominence against the backdrop of plans to restore railway lines along the borders with Azerbaijan and Türkiye. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has expressed readiness to carry out these works using the country's own funds. Furthermore, Pashinyan has called on Moscow to consider the possibility of transferring the concession to a "friendly third country," such as Kazakhstan, the UAE, or Qatar. The Russian Ministry of Transport has stated that no negotiations on this matter are currently taking place.
The "South Caucasus Railways" concession has been a cornerstone of Russian-Armenian transport cooperation for years. The current diplomatic friction highlights the broader geopolitical shift in the South Caucasus, as regional connectivity projects, particularly those involving the Zangezur corridor, remain a central topic in regional stability and economic integration discussions.
