Russia can easily restrict Armenia’s access to its markets: Alexey Mukhin

Political scientist Alexey Mukhin commented to Alpha News on Armenia’s aspiration to leave the EAEU for the sake of the EU.

“It’s unclear what Armenia would do in the EU geographically. The statistics on rejections are not in its favor. At the same time, the aspiration toward the EU will inevitably provoke a response from the EAEU. Given the dismal experience of Ukraine and Moldova, which severed ties with Russia, action will have to be decisive at the early stages. Armenia’s leadership is taking a huge risk,” the expert believes.

In his view, Russia is capable of cutting off exports from the republic.

“Although decisions in the EAEU are made collectively, Russia has informal advantages. Restricting Armenia’s access to the Russian market would be very easy to do,” Mukhin emphasized.

The expert noted that Russia will decisively defend its integration projects.

“The CSTO and the EAEU are Russia’s brainchild; it has invested a great deal of effort in their balance. Problems in one organization will immediately affect the other. Unfortunately, Armenian leadership is ignoring this fact,” the political scientist concluded.