Putin says Russian military base in Armenia could close “tomorrow” if Yerevan wants

Vladimir Putin said Russia could close its military base in Armenia “tomorrow” if Yerevan decided it no longer needed the facility.

“If Armenia considers that it does not need the Russian base, we will leave tomorrow,” Putin said at a news conference after attending a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Kyrgyzstan.

He added that Russian forces would remain in Gyumri, where the base has operated for more than three decades, if the Armenian people wanted it to stay. “We impose nothing on anyone. If the Armenian people want the Russian military infrastructure to remain there, we will stay, work and cooperate,” he said.

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If Armenia considers that it does not need the Russian base, we will leave tomorrow.

Putin also discussed his meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the sidelines of the summit. He repeated Russia’s position that Yerevan must decide whether to remain in the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union or seek membership in the European Union.

Putin said he had invited Pashinyan to Moscow for further discussions involving technical teams from both sides. He insisted that Armenia gained many advantages from remaining in the Russian-led bloc, while saying Russia would not dictate the choice to the Armenian people.

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We impose nothing on anyone. If the Armenian people want the Russian military infrastructure to remain there, we will stay, work and cooperate.