Russia Announces Potential Changes in Relations with Armenia

Mikhail Kalugin, an official from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has stated that Armenia's trajectory towards Europe may lead to systemic changes in its relations with Russia.

In an interview with TASS, Kalugin, who heads the Fourth Department of the Commonwealth of Independent States at the Foreign Ministry, addressed Armenia's chosen foreign policy course. Commenting on a earlier statement by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksey Overchuk, which noted that Armenia is close to a point of rebuilding relations, Kalugin highlighted that similar signals are being continuously conveyed to both the leadership and the public of Armenia at various levels.

According to Kalugin, the citizens of both countries should be aware that Armenia's progress on this so-called European path may at some point lead to a systemic transformation of Russian-Armenian cooperation. The department head emphasized that in matters of security, economic stability, and well-being—which form the basis of a country's sovereignty—the European Union does not offer clear alternatives.

As stated by the diplomat, Brussels’ interest is not about caring for Armenia or the countries of the region, but rather solving its own geopolitical problems, which are currently directed against Russia.