Armenia May Withdraw from Joint Organizations with Russia Due to Rising Gas Prices

Armenian Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan has made a significant statement indicating that the country may decide to withdraw from joint organizations with Russia if Moscow raises gas prices. This announcement was made on April 4, following a meeting between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The meeting, which took place on April 1, has become a topic of discussion as Putin hinted that Armenia could face issues with Russian gas supplies if it continues its path toward European integration. Commenting on this situation, Simonyan noted that such discussions are not new for Armenia and expressed confidence that gas prices would not increase. However, he emphasized that if prices do rise, Armenia would be compelled to make a decision regarding its membership in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

"We have done nothing against Russia, we are not doing anything now, and we will not do anything in the future, but we will always defend Armenia's interests," stated Alen Simonyan, underscoring the importance of national interests in this complex situation.

To understand the context, the CSTO is a military-political alliance established on May 15, 1992, which includes Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. Armenia suspended its participation in the organization in 2024 after Russia did not intervene in the Nagorno-Karabakh war, which sparked outrage in Yerevan. In September 2023, Azerbaijan announced the restoration of its territorial integrity, leading to the capitulation of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

The EAEU, on the other hand, is an economic organization created in 2014-2015, which includes Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan. This organization aims to promote economic integration among member countries; however, in light of the political tensions and economic challenges facing Armenia, the question of the feasibility of participating in the EAEU is also becoming relevant.

It is noteworthy that on April 1, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was on a visit to Moscow, where he met with Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin. During this meeting, Pashinyan raised issues concerning democracy and free internet in Armenia, which reportedly elicited a nervous reaction from the Russian president, who, according to Euronews, even issued an ultimatum, indicating that Armenia must choose between Russia and closer ties with the European Union.

Thus, the situation surrounding gas prices and Armenia's relations with Russia remains tense, and further decisions from Yerevan could significantly impact regional politics and economic ties.