Tigran Abrahamyan: After the withdrawal of the 102nd Russian military base from Gyumri, the departure of border troops will be a matter of time.

ArmInfo. After the withdrawal of the 102nd Russian military base from Gyumri, the withdrawal of border troops will be a matter of time. Former Armenian parliament member and member of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Tigran Abrahamyan wrote this on his Facebook page.

He recalled that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan previously stated that he does not object to the withdrawal of the 102nd Russian military base and that its presence in the Republic is not vital. In this regard, the former MP noted that Moscow demonstrates its military presence in Armenia not only through this military base, but also through the border troops. "If the military base is withdrawn, the withdrawal of the border troops will be a matter of time, and it is possible that Moscow will not even wait for an initiative from official Yerevan. Putting aside the geopolitical situation on this issue, I want to raise a simple question: who will guard the Armenian-Turkish and Armenian-Iranian borders after Russia's withdrawal? Participants in military exercises, the "Defender of the Fatherland" program, or conscripts on shortened military service," Abrahamyan asked.

In turn, Reformist Party leader Vahan Babayan noted that talk of withdrawing the 102nd Russian military base from Armenia should be assessed not only from the perspective of political statements, but first and foremost from the perspective of Armenia's security and national interests. After all, as the politician recalled, the Russian military base in Gyumri has been of strategic importance for many years as an essential component of Armenia's security system.

"It is located in Gyumri, in close proximity to the Turkish-Armenian border, and its presence also served as a factor of regional deterrence." The withdrawal of the military base does not in itself mean that Armenia is becoming more or less secure. Everything depends on what replaces this security component. If, in parallel with the reduction of the Russian military presence, Armenia does not form a clear, functional, and long-term new security system, serious risks may arise: a shift in the balance of power, increased vulnerability of borders, and a decrease in Armenia's resistance to external pressure," Babayan believes.

Separately, the party leader called for this issue to be considered from the perspective of regional policy. Thus, according to Babayan, any significant regrouping of forces in the South Caucasus could have not only bilateral but also regional consequences. "Therefore, in this matter, we should not be guided by the logic of 'Russia - yes or no,' but by one simple principle: which option is safer for Armenia and Armenian citizens?" The decision to withdraw the military base can only be discussed once the public is given a clear answer: what will happen in return, what guarantees Armenia will receive, and how possible security risks will be neutralized. "For Armenia, security should not be a field for geopolitical experimentation. The security system should change only when the new system is truly stronger and more effective, not simply different," the politician concluded.

As a reminder, days earlier, in a conversation with journalists following the SCO summit and a series of bilateral talks in Bishkek, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated his readiness to withdraw the 102nd Russian military base stationed in Gyumri "even tomorrow." On September 3, 2026, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated at a government briefing that he "does not consider the presence of the 102nd military base in Armenia a vital necessity."

It should be noted that the Russian military base is stationed in Armenia in accordance with a 1995 interstate treaty. In 2010, amendments were made to the document, according to which the period of her stay in the territory of Armenia was extended from the initial 25 years to 49 years, until 2044.