Pashinyan:  Unresolved Armenian issue could mark the beginning of the end for the EAEU

ArmInfo.  If current trade issues involving Armenian goods remain unresolved, it could mark the beginning of the end for the EAEU, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told journalists, addressing recent restrictions imposed by Russia on Armenian exports.

Pashinyan emphasized that he does not view the current situation as merely an Armenian problem, but rather as a systemic failure of the union itself, pointing out that its operational mechanisms are effectively non-functional. At the same time, responding to media inquiries, the Prime Minister clarified that Armenia has no plans to withdraw from the EAEU.

What is happening today, according to the head of government, is happening only because Armenia has adopted a policy of alternatives. "Our partners from Russia have accepted the legitimacy of this policy, which is very important. Now the question is when this alternative will be implemented," he said.

Addressing journalists' suggestions that his recent discussions with the Russian president had failed because the issue remains pressing, Pashinyan rejected the notion. He noted that the conversation was extensive and yielded mutual understanding on several points.

"The most important issue on which we reached agreement is that Armenia has the legitimate right to formulate alternatives for itself," Pashinyan said. "I told the Russian president that we have stated this and will continue to pursue this path, especially since the Armenian people voted for it. As I said during the election campaign, I cannot imagine that as a result of the implementation of our policies, we will find ourselves in a situation where we will have no alternative. The Republic of Armenia must always have alternatives on all issues. And the era of their absence is over."