Armenia threatens to walk away from Russia-led bloc, sets condition
A national flag of Armenia (photo: Getty Images)
Armenian Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan said Yerevan could decide to leave the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) if Russia raises gas prices for the country, NEWS.am reports.
According to the outlet, Simonyan made the remarks on April 4 during a briefing ahead of an extraordinary meeting of the Civil Contract party, commenting on the meeting between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The speaker said such discussions between the sides are not new, noting that issues such as gas prices and other goods have been under discussion for many years.
Simonyan said that if a relevant decision is made, Armenia "will make its decision" and withdraw from both the CSTO and the Eurasian Economic Union.
At the same time, he stressed that he does not believe it will come to that, noting that after the issue was raised, the two leaders held a "very good, productive and constructive conversation."
Armenia's parliament speaker said that during contacts with the Russian side, Armenian premier conveyed Yerevan's position, and assessments circulating online largely align with his own view.
"We have done nothing against Russia, we are doing nothing, and we will do nothing, but at the same time we will defend the interests of the Republic of Armenia," Speaker Simonyan emphasized.
Earlier, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, during a meeting with Vladimir Putin, stressed that there are no political prisoners in Armenia and that social media remains fully free. He also said that democracy is a fundamental principle for Yerevan, even though some citizens view the level of political activity as excessive.
