Moscow–Yerevan relations are currently going through a “difficult stage” and this process cannot be evaluated outside the general events taking place in the region and the world.
Modern.az reports that this was stated by Russia's Ambassador to Armenia, Sergey Kopyrkin, in an interview with local media.
The ambassador emphasized that, despite all difficulties, it is important to preserve the political and moral pillar that forms the basis of relations. According to him, there is political will from both the Russian and Armenian sides to continue these relations, and the importance of the ties is mutually understood.
Kopyrkin noted that Russia views the Armenian people as a brotherly people, and Armenia as an allied state.
The ambassador also touched upon the significant decrease in trade turnover between Armenia and Russia. According to him, this decrease should not go unnoticed, but there is no reason for panic. Kopyrkin stated that the decrease in trade is mainly due to temporary and conjunctural factors that influenced the increase in turnover in previous years. He reminded that approximately 35 percent of Armenia's total foreign trade falls to Russia's share, and this is a rather significant indicator. The diplomat characterized the current stage of relations as a “period of maturation and transformation”.
According to the ambassador, it is technically impossible for Armenia to be a member of both the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union simultaneously. He stated that not only the Russian side but also the Prime Minister of Armenia has openly spoken about this and declared that at some stage the country would have to make a choice.
The Russian ambassador emphasized that Moscow respects the sovereign decisions of Armenia and the Armenian people. However, in his opinion, the Armenian society should be clearly explained what consequences the rejection of Eurasian integration and the choice of the European direction could entail.
