PreferredWhy should the price of Russian natural gas increase in Armenia? The Russian president did not make such an insinuation; some political forces in Armenia and the media outlets subordinate to them are making such insinuations. Deputy speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia and a member of the NA ruling majority Civil Contract faction, Ruben Rubinyan, told this to reporters in the NA Tuesday.
On April 1, during a conversation with visiting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin had noted that the price of Russian natural gas in Europe exceeds $600 per 1,000 cubic meters, while Russia supplies it to Armenia for just $177 per 1,000 cubic meters.
According to Rubinyan, some Armenian media outlets, on the instructions of their owners, are trying to create the impression that economic problems have arisen between Armenia and Russia.
“Do you mean that Russia will not fulfill some agreements, will take hostile actions? Why?” Rubinyan asked reporters.
He called all this a “balloon” and expressed confidence that this "balloon" won't be able to be blown up.
According to the vice speaker of the Armenian parliament, the topics being discussed in Russia are not new, and they been discussed in previous years as well.
“As you can see, no catastrophe has occurred over the years. Russia is a friendly country to us [i.e. Armenia], we continue our friendly relations, and it is natural that we will not agree on all issues,” Rubinyan said.
He added that Armenia’s position on the issue of its railways has not changed, and it is not going to take any steps in this regard behind Russia’s back.
“We do not want to escalate any issues. But we have a specific problem, and it is being discussed,” Ruben Rubinyan concluded.
