Moscow, unlike the West, has living people here, who sometimes die -  Sergei Kopyrkin

ArmInfo. Armenia's entry into the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) was dictated by the realities in  which RA was located. Russian Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia Sergei Kopyrkin stated this in an interview with 24News, referring to the words of the Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Alen Simonyan that Yerevan has always followed the path of European integration, but suddenly it was pulled into the EAEU overnight.

"As for the fact that Armenia has always followed the path of  European integration: Let's see what kind of baggage we have in  relations in all spheres, including economic," the ambassador  suggested, adding that it was this relationship that played a  decisive role in Armenia's accession to the EAEU.

The diplomat also recalled that Armenia clearly stated its interest  in continuing to participate in these integration processes, and this  was reflected in the program of Armenia's chairmanship in the EAEU.

"What Mr. Simonyan says, in my opinion, is not very consistent with  the reality, with the official position that is actually expressed by  the Armenian side," the Russian ambassador noted.

Regarding the issue of attempts to involve Armenia in the Union  State, the diplomat noted that he is not aware of this issue being  raised as a subject of political dialogue. At the same time, he  called the format of the Union State unique, where two sovereign  states interact closely. He once again emphasized that this topic has  never been raised, and the Armenian authorities need to be asked  where they got their opinions on this part.

Touching upon Armenia's arguments on the issue of foreign policy  reorientation, Kopyrkin noted that there is again a certain  distortion here, since Russia is not against diversification, the  search for new partners, since this is in line with the policy of the  Russian Federation itself.

"The question is different. What worries us is that certain forces  that claim to oversee Armenia and its foreign policy put these  relations in an anti-Russian context and do not hide it," he said.

In response to the remark, that is, the Russian Federation is not  against Armenia purchasing weapons from France, the ambassador  emphasized that this is the sovereign right of the Republic of  Armenia and is not raised here and the question "against, not  against" is not appropriate at all.

"But I think the thesis that the formula for ensuring security in  interaction with Russia has turned out to be untenable is erroneous.  I think this is erroneous. Until now, everything that is happening -  despite all the problems, they convince me that it is important to  have these allied relations," he emphasized.

Regarding the accusations against the CSTO, Kopyrkin proposed  returning to the same events around Jermuk in September 2022. He  recalled that the Chief of Staff of the CSTO, the Secretary General  of the CSTO, immediately arrived in Yerevan, a report was prepared,  and a draft decision was drawn up on it to send a mission to the  Republic of Armenia and provide military-technical assistance to the  Armenian side, but this document was vetoed by the Prime Minister of  Armenia.

"What is the argument for the refusal to approve this document? That  there was no corresponding statement. But, you understand, that a  decision was made and a readiness to take specific measures was  expressed. Where would the CSTO mission be located, on whose  territory? This is obvious. I have a feeling of what "It's a given  that this is used as a reason, not a reason," added the Russian  Ambassador to Armenia.

To the remark that the ally refused to recognize the borders of  Armenia and condemn Azerbaijan, and the EU did this, Kopyrkin  retorted: "Yes, but the ally stationed a battalion group in Goris at  the request of the Armenian side, additional border posts, and at its  own expense, without receiving a counter readiness to formalize all  this in a legal framework. Do you still want to check the checkers or  go? Moscow, unlike the West, has living people here, who are also  dying, as was the case with peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh.   Therefore, the cost of its statements for Russia is much higher than  for the European Parliament, or the French Parliament, whose chairman  comes to Yerevan a month later and publicly says that this is not the  policy of France."

Speaking about Armenian-Russian cooperation in the defense sector,  the diplomat noted that Moscow takes its contractual obligations  seriously. Recognizing that for objective reasons there were certain  difficulties with the supply of weapons, the ambassador noted that  now contacts are in an active phase and existing contracts should be  implemented within the next two years.

To the remark, in the event of the outbreak of hostilities between  Armenia and Azerbaijan in Tavush, will the Russian side come to the  rescue, Kopyrkin, in particular, said: "I have no reason to believe  that Russia is abandoning the obligations that it has assumed under  the agreements that we have. All our public statements, in my  opinion, give no reason to question this."

At the same time, he wondered what purpose the statements made by  certain Armenian officials still pursue, whether it is necessary for  the Russian Federation to fulfill its obligations, or is everything  being done to prevent it from fulfilling them.

Regarding the prospects for the return of Artsakh residents to  Nagorno-Karabakh, the ambassador recalled that the real purpose of  finding Russian peacekeepers was for the Armenians to remain in their  homes. "Since Russian peacekeepers continue to be there, as I  understand it, this issue has not been removed from the agenda - this  is the right of the Armenians of Karabakh to return to their homes,"  the Russian ambassador said, adding that this is a difficult issue,  especially after the Armenian authorities recognized Artsakh part of  Azerbaijan, without even mentioning a word about the rights of  Artsakh people.