All that is happening cannot but worry Russia, as the initiator of integration associations in the Eurasian area – Andrey Areshev

Speaking with Alpha News, Russian political scientist and expert Andrey Areshev commented on Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk’s statement about the Armenian authorities’ course towards the West and their rejection of allied relations, which could have specific economic consequences.

“I would like to note that Mr. Overchuk’s statement was made in an extremely correct form. At the same time, specific examples were given, as well as a specific amount of assistance that Russia is providing in connection with the misfortune that befell Armenia, the natural disaster in the north of the country. Veiled, but nevertheless quite specific warnings were given, the essence of which is that it will not always be possible to sit on two chairs: European and Eurasian.

Russia is concerned about those processes of economic integration or their advance, which the Armenian leadership does not hide. It seems to me that we are talking about the modernization of the agreement that was concluded in 2016 between Yerevan and Brussels under Serzh Sargsyan, its extension to new good items, and some foreign economic aspects of Armenia’s activities. Moscow believes that this will bring us closer to some kind of conflict with the obligations that Armenia undertakes as a member of the Eurasian Economic Union.

Naturally, there is not enough information, but different dates for signing this document are circulating in various expert reports. Now they are talking about autumn—I mean, a certain intensification of economic cooperation between Yerevan and Brussels.

Plus, there are statements by Armenian politicians, including in the security sphere, that in one way or another make the Russian side nervous. This cannot but worry Russia, as the initiator and main party in integration associations in the Eurasian area, which are subject to various kinds of challenges,” Areshev noted.