Armenia lashes out at Russia over past two days – “If troops leave, no trace of the empire will remain”

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s statement on the 102nd Russian military base in Gyumri and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s response have caused a major stir in the region.

Speaking at a press conference following the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, the Russian leader delivered a tough and direct message to the Armenian leadership.

The key points of the issue and the latest developments are as follows:

Putin said that if Armenia believes it no longer needs the Russian military base in Gyumri, Moscow is ready to leave “even tomorrow.” He stressed that Russia would not force anything on anyone.

Commenting on Armenia’s steps toward the European Union (EU), the Russian leader said it was “simply impossible” for Yerevan to remain simultaneously in both the EU and the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). He cited differences in phytosanitary regulations and technical standards.

Putin recalled that Pashinyan had recognized Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan in Prague and stressed that, under these circumstances, it was natural for the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) not to intervene in the process.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan responded to Putin’s remarks at a briefing yesterday, saying that if Russia decides to withdraw its military base from Armenia, Yerevan will have no objection.

Pashinyan added that Armenia had not officially raised the issue of withdrawing the Russian base so far, but its presence is no longer a “vital necessity” for the country.

Moscow is putting military and economic cards on the table in response to Yerevan’s tilt toward the West, effectively forcing Armenia to make a choice.

Yerevan, meanwhile, is demonstrating that it is ready to completely end its military dependence on Russia, while seeking to avoid the economic consequences, particularly the risks associated with leaving the EAEU.

Experts note that under the existing agreement, the Russian 102nd Military Base in Gyumri is authorized to remain until 2044. However, the reciprocal rhetoric of the two leaders has now cast serious doubt on the base’s future. The two leaders have agreed to meet in Moscow in the near future to discuss these issues in greater detail.

Ismayil Shahli