Pashinyan: Armenia’s interests come first, no intent to harm Russia ties

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday that his administration has never sought to undermine Russian interests or harm Armenia’s relationship with Moscow, adding that his government’s approach has always been about putting Armenian interests first.

He was asked at a press briefing how Armenia would join the European Union if it does not seek the withdrawal of the Russian military base from its territory.

The reporter noted that Pashinyan had previously said that Armenia is moving toward the West.

“I don’t recall saying that we are headed toward the West. I usually say that we are not going anywhere,” Pashinyan said.

“Indeed, Armenia adopted a law on starting the process of accession to the European Union, and I have also addressed this issue in the context of the Eurasian Economic Union. Fortunately or unfortunately, we are still not at the point where the Russian military base is blocking our view. When we see that the Russian military base is blocking our view, then we will think about how to move forward so that we do not have a problem with our view,” the Prime Minister said.