‘Russia is indispensable’ – Russian Foreign Ministry comments on Trump Route

The Russian side is ready to consult with Yerevan on the parameters of the “Trump Route” initiative and possible Russian participation, Mikhail Kalugin, Director of the Fourth CIS Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, told RIA Novosti.

“The details of the Armenian-American project still need to be studied. We are ready to consult with our Armenian partners to discuss both the parameters of the initiative and possible Russian involvement,” he said.

Kalugin added that “there are plenty of grounds for this.” “Essentially, what we are dealing with is a section of the route agreed upon within the framework of the trilateral working group,” he explained.

“Our company, South Caucasus Railway—a subsidiary of Russian Railways—holds the concession for managing Armenia’s railway network. The region uses the Russian railway gauge,” Kalugin noted. He pointed out that “the road will pass mostly through the zone of responsibility of our border guards.”

“It is also important to take into account Armenia’s membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). It is clear that Russia’s involvement is indispensable for the partners,” he concluded.