Zakharova: Russia does not intend to foot the bill for Armenia`s  integration into the EU

ArmInfo. Russia does not intend to foot the bill for Armenia's integration into the European Union, as stated by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova during a weekly briefing on May 4, held on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

When asked to comment on statements from Yerevan that that  Armenian-Russian bilateral issues would be resolved after Armenia's  upcoming parliamentary elections, Zakharova questioned why these  matters hadn't been addressed sooner. Invoking a popular Russian  cartoon, Prostokvashino, she likened the rhetoric to a postman who  claims he was only mean because he lacked a bicycle, but now he's  kind,  calling the Armenian leadership's approach "ridiculous." She  hastened to point out that Moscow has repeatedly emphasized that  Armenian-Russian relations are not subject to political volatility,  and that Russia has no connection to Armenia's electoral processes.  She added that Russia is not doing anything similar with Armenia or  any other country.

"We have simply observed a sharp,  forceful push to  pull toward the  European Union and Euro-Atlantic structures. This includes relevant  statements from the country's top leadership, encouraging signals  from Brussels, and an impressive political Euro-deployment that  landed in Yerevan in early May. The declaration adopted following the  Armenia-EU summit on May 5 directly welcomes Yerevan's European  aspirations," the diplomat stated.  She added that following these  developments, Russia—as well as many citizens of Armenia and other  partners within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)—had legitimate  questions regarding where Armenia is actually heading. Zakharova  specified that the question is not about the country itself, but  rather where it is being led by those engaging in these actions. 

"How are they going to fulfill their obligations within existing  organizations in this case? We've heard some verbal acrobatics about  the CSTO, claiming that the CSTO has somehow 'left Armenia.' But  here, it seems, they failed to come up with any plausible phrasing.  The EAEU has not left Armenia anywhere," said the official  representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry.  Zakharova added that  Moscow had openly inquired with the Armenian side on this matter but  has yet to receive a clear response.

"It appears that the Armenian leadership—under which Yerevan is  essentially trying to sit on two chairs in this regard—pleases no  one. And we certainly have no intention of paying for their journey  into the European Union. This bloc pursues an overtly hostile line  toward both our country and other countries," she said.  Zakharova  questioned why Russia should sit idly by and refrain from voicing its  stance confidentially and through diplomatic channels.

  "I believe that those who stirred up this mess will have to make up  their minds. The election campaign has absolutely nothing to do with  this, and there is no need to manipulate it. This is simply a matter  of clearly defining the course they plan to pursue," the Russian  diplomat concluded.