Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who arrived in Moscow on a working visit, on April 1.
He noted that Russia is comfortable with Armenia developing relations with the European Union, but Yerevan cannot be in two customs unions at the same time.
"We understand that any country seeks maximum advantages from cooperation with third countries. But it must be obvious and honest, it must be said in advance, so to speak, from the outset: membership in a customs union with the European Union and with the EAEU is impossible," Putin said.
The head of state noted that this is not even a political issue, but purely an economic one. He expressed hope that the Eurasian Economic Union and the European Union would cooperate in the future.
The Russian president noted that Russia sells gas to Armenia significantly cheaper than current gas prices in Europe.
Russia and Armenia are linked by a shared history and even civilizational commonality, Putin said, adding that Moscow always supports what benefits the Armenian people.
He also noted that Armenia and Azerbaijan have managed to stabilize relations.
"Thanks to your efforts and the efforts of the President of Azerbaijan, it seems that stabilization in relations has now been achieved, and the President of the United States took an active part in this," Putin said.
Nikol Pashinyan, in turn, recalled that peace has already been made between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The Armenian PM noted that Baku and Yerevan have recognised each other’s territorial integrity, political independence, and sovereignty as enshrined in the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration. This means that independent Armenia is recognised as 100% identical to Soviet Armenia, and independent Azerbaijan as 100% identical to Soviet Azerbaijan.
"I believe this provides a solid foundation to further strengthen peace. I would also like to once again express my gratitude for the support that I have consistently felt in the process of achieving peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan," Pashinyan said.
He stressed this is having a positive effect on Armenia's relations with Russia as well.
"Because for the first time since our independence we have a railway connection with the Russian Federation. We are importing from Russia via railway through the territory of Azerbaijan. I hope that in the near future we will also be exporting. This is certainly strengthening our traditional economic ties," Pashinyan said.
