A meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is expected in the coming months. It is interesting to know what issues will be discussed between the leaders of the two countries and how the impact of the meeting on the South Caucasus will manifest itself. The issue that Putin will impose certain obligations on Pashinyan is not excluded.
In his statement to Modern.az, political scientist Elkhan Shahinoglu stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin will put a choice before Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during the meeting:
“In his meeting with Pashinyan, Putin will traditionally raise the issue of Armenia having to choose between the European Union (EU) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). According to Putin, Armenia benefits greatly from its membership in the EAEU, but if Armenia chooses the EU from now on, it cannot remain a member of the EAEU and a referendum must be held. Pashinyan's position is that since Armenia has not yet made a choice, it cannot make a referendum decision. Yes, Armenia, as a member of the EAEU, is trying to integrate with the European Union. However, it takes long decades to become a member of the European Union. Even Ukraine itself is not accepted for membership in the European Union. This topic will be discussed at the Putin-Pashinyan meeting.”
The political scientist noted that Pashinyan can also raise certain issues before Putin:
“Pashinyan will raise the issue of railways before Putin. Pashinyan is dissatisfied with Russia's failure to develop railways within Armenia. Russia, on the other hand, is not interested in restoring railways. Because if it restores railways in Armenia, it will develop economic relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan. This, it seems, does not suit the interests of certain circles in Russia. Armenia's position is that if Russia does not develop railways, it should own the railways again, or share them with a third country. However, I do not believe that Putin will agree to this.”
