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The Kremlin said Monday that Armenia could lose the “very attractive” price it pays for Russian gas if it moves away from integration with Russia, Reuters reported.
Armenia is a member of a Russian-led economic union and remains heavily dependent on Russia for energy supplies. In recent years, however, Yerevan has sought deeper ties with the European Union, including adopting a law last year to launch its accession process to the bloc.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov made the remarks when asked about relations with Armenia, saying favorable gas terms were not available to countries in other integration frameworks.
“There is a very, very attractive and more than preferential price for Russian gas,” Peskov told reporters.
“But, of course, such terms are not available to participants in other integration frameworks. There, the pricing structure is entirely different. It is market-based,” he added.
Russia has long been a key energy supplier to Armenia, and Moscow has emphasized the difference between the price Yerevan pays for Russian gas and prices in Europe.
Russian President Vladimir Putin raised the issue during a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in April.
Putin said Yerevan paid $177.5 for 1,000 cubic meters of gas from Russia, while the same volume would cost more than $600 in Europe.
“The disparity is vast,” Putin said.
On May 9, Putin also told reporters that it would be “logical” for Armenia to hold a referendum on its EU aspirations.
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said Monday that Armenia has no interest in severing political and economic ties with Russia.
“We want and will strive to preserve and deepen our normal relations,” Russian news agency Interfax quoted him as telling reporters in Yerevan.
Armenia hosts several Russian military bases and remains tied to Moscow through energy, trade and security arrangements.
Relations between the two countries have grown increasingly strained since Azerbaijan forcibly retook the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023 despite the presence of Russian peacekeepers.
Armenia is set to hold a parliamentary election in June, with Pashinyan’s party facing several opposition parties, many of which are pro-Russian.
The election comes as Yerevan seeks to balance long-standing ties with Moscow with its efforts to move closer to the European Union.
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