Yerevan's decision to join the Customs Union was adopted under severe pressure by Moscow, David Shakhnazaryan, former member of the Armenian National Congress, Head of Accord Center, said in a press conference, Thursday.
He is sure that the Russian authorities threatened Armenia with destabilization of the domestic political situation and a new war in Nagorno Karabakh to persuade the Armenian leadership to join the Customs Union. Shakhnazaryan recalled the latest supply of Russian offensive weapons to Azerbaijan.
"Russia decided to impede Armenia's association with the EU now when the West is focused on Syria," he said.
As regards the consequences of joining the Customs Union, the politician is sure that Armenia will lose the opportunity to settle its domestic political problems independently.
"From now on, Moscow will settle all the major issues," he said. Shakhnazaryan is sure that the Customs Union membership will spoil also the Armenian-Georgian relations. The only way to prevent Armenia's joining the Customs Union is civic fight, he said.