Russia has warned Armenia that it may unilaterally suspend or denounce the agreement to supply natural gas, petroleum products and rough diamonds to the republic if the country continues the process of joining the European Union.
Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsevilev said this in a letter he sent on May 25 to the Ministry of Regional Administration and Infrastructure of Armenia, reported Kommersant, which examined a copy of the letter.
Russia and Armenia concluded an agreement in 2013. As part of the agreement, Russia permanently eliminated export duties on supplies of oil products, gas, and diamonds to Armenia.
If the agreement is violated, Armenia will have to pay reparations to Russia, or the unpaid amounts will be recognized as a state debt owed by the Russian Federation.
Analysts say that if the agreement is terminated, Armenia may find itself in a difficult situation because it will be difficult for it to replace Russian supplies. Armenia receives from Russia 85% of total gas supplies, at least 62% of petroleum products, as well as 50% of total imported diamonds.
In recent years, Armenia has begun to actively approach the European Union. Therefore, Armenia expects the visa exemption regime with the EU to be implemented within two years. Armenia decided to cooperate more with the European Union and the United States after Russia actually refused to support Yerevan in its conflict with Baku. In 2025, the Armenian Parliament adopted a law on the beginning of the country’s accession to the European Union.
Moscow is trying to influence Yerevan on the eve of the parliamentary elections scheduled for June 7 in Armenia. Thus, Kremlin bots are campaigning against current Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. In addition, Russia imposes trade restrictions on Armenia.