Pashinyan rules out escalation in Armenia–Russia relations

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said there will be no escalation in relations between Armenia and Russia, rejecting opposition claims about rising tensions.

He accused opposition figures, including ex-president and Armenia Alliance leader Robert Kocharyan, Strong Armenia party leader Samvel Karapetyan, and Prosperous Armenia party leader Gagik Tsarukyan — all running in the June 7 parliamentary elections — of trying to provoke such tensions.

Speaking at a press briefing, Pashinyan ruled out the possibility of any escalation between Armenia and Russia.

Pashinyan, referring to the three opposition figures, said: “They are doing everything so that there will be escalation between Armenia and Russia.”

“There will be none, first because quarreling with Russia is not on our scale; we are a small, modest country. On the other hand, we are a full member of the EAEU. Kocharyan also said that he expects Russia to create problems. These are cheap provocations; they will not succeed,” Pashinyan said.