Armenian authorities have decided to play the 102nd Russian Military Base card in the matter of a possible increase in gas prices for the republic

ArmInfo. The current Armenian authorities, led by Nikol Pashinyan, have decided to play the 102nd Russian Military Base card regarding a possible increase in gas prices for Armenia amid the crisis in relations between Yerevan and Moscow, which has been deepening since the Armenian authorities announced a reorientation toward Europe. It appears that the Armenian authorities are trying to blackmail Russia with the presence of the 102nd Russian Military Base in the country.

Back in May of this year, the Russian side did not rule out an increase in gas prices for Armenia if the republic continues its course toward EU accession. Initially, the Armenian authorities remained silent on the issue, but then Pashinyan and members of his team began making statements that if gas prices for Armenia increased, the country could raise rent for the 102nd Russian Military Base.

On September 11, Vilen Gabrielyan, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Defense and Security of the National Assembly of Armenia and a member of the Civil Contract faction, spoke to Factor TV about the Prime Minister's hint that if gas prices increased, Armenia could also "increase" the cost of certain things. He confirmed that this could also include raising rent for the military base.

"Why not? Yes." "This is also my personal point of view," he said.

It's noteworthy that the person holding the post on the Defense and Security Committee is so incompetent that he doesn't even know that the Russian side isn't paying rent for the base.

The 102nd Russian military base is stationed in Armenia in accordance with a 1995 interstate agreement. In 2010, the document was amended, extending its term of presence in Armenia from the original 25 years to 49 years, until 2044.