Russia has received an official notification from Armenia about Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s non-participation in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) leaders’ meeting, where Armenia will be represented by Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan. Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) spokesperson Maria Zakharova announced this at a press briefing Thursday.

According to her, Armenian PM Pashinyan’s non-attendance to EAEU events has become a pattern, but it will not affect the activities of this union.

“This [i.e. Pashinyan’s absence from EAEU events] is already becoming a pattern, which, as we understand, Nikol Pashinyan has created. Of course, there is no tragedy for the union; the problem lies only in Armenia,” the Russian MFA spokesperson said.