The so-called “European path” of Armenia could lead to systemic changes in relations with Russia. Mikhail Kalugin, Director of the Fourth CIS Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Russia, stated this in an interview with TASS.

The Russian diplomat was asked to comment on Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk’s statement that Armenia is very close to the point after which Russia will have to rebuild relations with that country. “The statement of Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexey Overchuk, which you paid attention to, is an example of the signals that we [i.e. Russia] have conveyed and continue to convey to the leadership and public of Armenia at various levels,” Kalugin said.

“We believe that the citizens of our countries should know: Yerevan’s progress along the so-called ‘European path’ could at some point lead to systemic changes in Russian-Armenian relations,” he noted.

 The Russian MFA official emphasized that “in terms of the instruments of ensuring security, economic stability, well-being and prosperity, from which the country’s sovereignty is formed, the EU does not offer any clear alternative.”

“And this is understandable: Brussels’ interest is not in taking care of Armenia or the countries of the South Caucasus, but, first of all, in fulfilling its own geopolitical tasks, which today are aimed at confrontation with Russia,” the Russian diplomat added.