Gagik Tsarukyan: Macron is here today and gone tomorrow, he`s a  "seven- percent" man

ArmInfo.Gagik Tsarukyan, leader of the Prosperous Armenia Party and businessman, cited specific examples to describe the Armenian economy's dependence on Russia.

The businessman noted that Armenia currently receives $160–$180  million in monthly remittances from Russia, which he credited with  sustaining the Armenian people.  "Today, we export $3 billion worth  of fruit, brandy, and wine to Russia. If this channel is closed, our  agriculture, winemaking, and brandy production will collapse. We  cannot simply export these goods to Europe. Of course not—so what  will we do then? Currently, 500,000 to 700,000 Armenians work in  Russia; if we withdraw from the common labor market, what happens to  these people? If gas prices for consumers rise to match European  market rates of $600–$800, how will you manage?" the PAP leader asked  voters during a meeting in Armenia's Kotayk region.

"Macron is here today and gone tomorrow; he is already a  'seven-percent' man. He only has the support of 7% of his own  country's population and will not be re-elected. Who are we relying  on?" Tsarukyan added.  The PAP leader expressed his firm conviction  that Armenia would face a catastrophe should it withdraw from the  Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).  According to the Customs Service,  Armenia reduced win e exports by 31.8% in the first half of 2025  (compared to a 3.6% increase a year ago), reaching 1.4 million  liters. The customs value of exported wine decreased by 12.6% to $7.3  million. The Russian market traditionally accounts for the majority  of wine exports, accounting for 70% (compared to 82.7% a year ago).

Furthermore, according to the Ministry of Economy of Armenia, Armenia  exported 146.5 thousand tons of fresh fruits and vegetables in 2025,  exceeding the 2024 figure by 1.4%. Russia accounted for 60% of this  output. According to the Statistical Committee of the Republic of  Armenia, for the entire year of 2025, wine production in Armenia  slowed its annual decline from 29% to 23.3%, amounting to 7.7 million  liters.  Cognac production declined by 27.4% (compared to 2.5% growth  in 2024), reaching a volume of 14.4 million liters.

Armenia's mutual trade with Russia in 2025 declined by 38.3%,  amounting to $7.6 billion. Exports declined by 6.9% to $2.9 billion,  while imports fell by 49.2% to $4.7 billion.