PM denies Russian claim on plans to ‘assist’ Ukraine by purchasing expensive grain

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has denied the statement by the Russian intelligence agency claiming Armenia is allegedly preparing to abandon Russian grain in favor of costly Ukrainian grain using EU funds.

“That cannot happen. It is absolutely absurd,” Pashinyan said, denying the report during a press briefing.

Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service claimed in a statement that Armenia, “for political reasons”, seeks to “shift away” from Moscow and “assist” Kyiv by purchasing Ukrainian grain at higher prices, abandoning Russian grain supplies. The Russian agency claimed that Armenia supposedly intends to cover the price difference using funds from the EU.