Putin held talks with Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan. The main thing

On April 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The main topics for discussion were bilateral relations, economic cooperation and elections in Armenia. The main statements of the head of the Russian Federation are in the material of Izvestia.

About the relations between Russia and Armenia

The Russian President drew attention to the fact that relations between the two countries have been built not for decades, but for centuries.

"We are united by a common history and the solution of common tasks through joint efforts in the old days. We are also united by our civilizational community," Putin said, adding that Russia is always satisfied with what benefits the Armenian people.

In addition, the Russian president added that Russia understands the internal political processes in Armenia against the background of the election campaign.

"The main thing is that these internal political processes, and they always escalate during any election campaigns, so that these exacerbations <...>..> our relations have not been harmed in any way," Putin said, stressing that regardless of the election results, the general commitment to building Russian—Armenian relations will continue.

About economics and energy

The Head of State said that the economy is developing at a good pace. In 2024, the turnover amounted to $11 billion, and in 2025 - 6.4 billion. He also compared these figures with Azerbaijan, which, according to the Russian president, had a turnover of $4.9 billion last year.

He also clarified that of the $6.4 billion, $1.2 billion is accounted for by agricultural products — "vegetables, fruits, wine — everything that Armenia exports."

"If you look at what is happening with the Armenian economy, it seems to me that you also estimate that Armenia's exports to the EAEU countries have increased 10-fold in recent years," Putin said.

Putin also noted that gas prices in Europe are currently skyrocketing, reaching up to $600 per thousand cubic meters. He also added that Russia sells gas to Armenia for $177.5 per thousand cubic meters.

About Karabakh

Putin also noted during the talks that the most sensitive issue is still related to Karabakh.

"Now about security-related issues. Of course, the most sensitive issue so far is everything related to Karabakh. We talk about this all the time. We know that you and your colleagues have had and still have questions and some complaints about the CSTO," Putin said.

He also called it obvious that after Prague recognized in 2022 that Karabakh is part of Azerbaijan, "it would be completely incorrect for the CSTO to interfere in this process, which has acquired an intra-Azerbaijani dimension."

About Armenia's relations with other countries

The head of the Russian Federation also noted that Russia sees a discussion in Yerevan about relations with the EU. He added that Moscow is calm about this.

"We see that there is a discussion in Armenia about the development of relations with the European Union. We are absolutely calm about this. We understand that any country seeks maximum benefits from cooperation with third countries," the Russian president said.

He also emphasized that staying in the customs union with the European Union and the EurAsEC is impossible, the issue is not about politics, it is of an economic nature.

"Someday, maybe, years will pass and we - the EurAsEC and the European Union — I hope that this will be the case in the end, we live on the same continent, we will be able to settle (disputed issues — Ed.). But when, even before the Ukrainian crisis, we tried to reach an agreement with the Europeans to work together, nothing was achieved. They take a very tough position on almost every issue, as it seemed to me at the time, even a minor one," Putin said.