The Kremlin commented on Pashinyan`s remarks about strategic partnership with Russia

ArmInfo. The Kremlin commented on Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's statement that he cannot call Russia a strategic partner.

"Pashinyan said that Russia is not a strategic partner. We continue to believe that a partnership for our two countries is something that benefits both peoples and serves the interests of both peoples," Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov told Vesti.

Peskov added that if Pashinyan holds a different position and can explain it to Armenians, then Armenians will express their opinion in a referendum, if one takes place. He recalled that a referendum is what the heads of state of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) recommended following the Astana summit. "Not all nations vote 'for' a referendum." "There was a recent referendum in Iceland, and the Icelanders didn't want [to resume negotiations on EU accession]. We'll see what the difference is between the Icelanders and the Armenians," Peskov said.

On May 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking to journalists, suggested that Armenia decide on its membership in the EU and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) as soon as possible, expressing its readiness to "begin a civilized divorce" if necessary. Yerevan responded by noting that it would leave the EAEU whenever it deemed it necessary. And on May 29, the heads of state of four of the five EAEU countries adopted a resolution recommending that Armenia hold a referendum on its continued membership in the EAEU. On the same day, the Russian president stated that Armenia could not sit on two chairs and needed to make a choice as soon as possible.

It should be noted that on January 9, 2025, the Armenian government approved a draft law on the beginning of the process of joining the European Union, proposed by the "Eurakve" civic initiative. The draft was sent to the Armenian parliament for approval. On March 26, the parliament adopted it in its final reading and sent it to the president for signature. The document was signed on April 4 of that year. Moscow stated that Russia had conveyed to Armenia that simultaneous membership in the Eurasian Economic Union and the European Union was impossible.