It is impossible to serve two gods — Mikhail Belyaev

Speaking with Alpha News, Mikhail Belyaev, an economist and expert at the Association for the Development of Financial Literacy, commented on a statement by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin. Earlier, Galuzin stated that Russia is not seeking to infringe on Armenia’s interests within the Eurasian Economic Union due to Armenia’s European orientation. However, he cautioned that leaving the union would be painful for the country’s population.

According to the expert, Armenia will have to make a choice: either join the European Union or continue relations with Russia.

“It is impossible to serve two gods. Either you join the European Union, abide by all their rules and regulations—many of which are not particularly favorable to Russia—and Armenia will need to comply with these requirements. Or, on the contrary, you need to refuse to join the EU and then continue relations with Russia under, as I see it, more advantageous and convenient conditions.

Armenia has chosen a different path for now, but we will not interfere. This is its choice, this is the country’s choice, but, in my opinion, it is not the most reasonable. In any case, now Armenia should not expect any privileges or concessions from Russia, because it is moving to another camp and will be subject to different rules and regulations,” Belyaev said.

According to the expert, Armenia’s relations with the EAEU will proceed in a completely normal manner and without any special privileges.

“Armenia has not yet acquired the status of an unfriendly country, so relations with the EAEU will be neutral, as is proper with all member states. In other words, these relations will proceed in a completely normal manner, without the special privileges granted to other EAEU nations or Russian associations that share closer and more amicable ties,” Belyaev concluded.