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🇱🇹 Lithuania /Energy & Infrastructure

Russia Warns Armenia Over Western Ties, Energy Prices

From Delfi · () Lithuanian

Translated from Lithuanian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Russia has issued veiled threats to Armenia regarding its energy prices and integration with the West.
  • Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov highlighted Armenia's preferential gas prices from Russia, contrasting them with market-based pricing for other integration partners.
  • Armenia, while a member of Russia's economic union, is strengthening ties with the EU, prompting concerns in Moscow.

Russia has subtly warned Armenia about the consequences of its deepening ties with the West, particularly concerning preferential energy prices. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized the highly favorable, below-market rates Armenia receives for Russian gas.

Russian gas is subject to a very, very attractive and more than preferential price.

· Dmitry PeskovHighlighting the favorable energy terms Armenia receives from Russia.

Peskov contrasted these terms with the market-based pricing applied to members of other integration structures, implying that such benefits are contingent on Armenia's alignment with Moscow. "However, of course, such conditions are not applied to participants of other integration structures. The pricing structure there is completely different. It is based on market principles," he stated.

However, of course, such conditions are not applied to participants of other integration structures. The pricing structure there is completely different. It is based on market principles.

· Dmitry PeskovContrasting Armenia's gas prices with those of other economic partners.

Armenia, a key member of the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union, has increasingly sought closer relations with the European Union. This pivot has caused friction, especially after Azerbaijan regained control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region in September 2023, despite the presence of Russian peacekeepers. Armenia's Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has stated the country aims to preserve and strengthen its relationship with Russia, but the geopolitical balancing act is becoming more complex.

We want and will strive to preserve and strengthen our normal relations.

· Ararat MirzoyanStating Armenia's intention to maintain ties with Russia.

Adding to the tension, Russian President Vladimir Putin previously suggested it would be "logical" for Armenia to hold a referendum on its EU aspirations. He implied that the outcome could lead to a "gentle, reasonable, and mutually beneficial separation" from Russia, drawing parallels to Ukraine's path toward the EU preceding Russia's aggression. The upcoming parliamentary elections in Armenia on June 7 feature a contest between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's pro-Western party and several pro-Russian opposition groups.

It would be logical for Armenia to hold a referendum on its aspirations to join the EU.

· Vladimir PutinCommenting on Armenia's potential EU integration.
About this summary

Originally published by Delfi in Lithuanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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