Russia remains a reliable supplier of energy resources, particularly to its allies and partners, but Armenia could lose access to preferential gas prices if it decides to withdraw from the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said during a briefing, TASS reports.
According to Peskov, Armenia currently benefits from highly favorable pricing for Russian gas and energy supplies due to its participation in the economic bloc.
“We hear statements from the Armenian leadership that there is a highly attractive, more than preferential price for Russian gas and Russian energy resources. This is indeed the case – Russia remains a reliable and responsible supplier of energy resources to all countries, and especially to its closest allies and partners,” he said.
At the same time, Peskov stressed that such arrangements would not apply to countries involved in other integration systems, specifically referencing the European Union.
“Such a regime is impossible for participants in other integration projects – the European Union, of course. There the pricing category is entirely different; it is market-based,” he said, adding that this is “well known” to Armenia’s leadership.
Peskov described Armenia’s future economic integration path as an “open question,” while recalling remarks made by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during his visit to Moscow.
According to the Kremlin spokesman, Pashinyan had reaffirmed that Armenia remains a full member of the EAEU while simultaneously pursuing relations along other foreign policy directions, including cooperation with Europe.
Peskov also referred to Pashinyan’s earlier comments that Armenia may eventually need to make a final decision regarding its strategic course.
“As Pashinyan explained at the time, at some point a final decision will need to be made, and it will be done through a referendum. It is the Armenian people who will have the final say,” Peskov concluded.
