Russia will not be able to continue supplying Armenia with natural gas and oil products at previous prices if Armenia joins the European Union (EU), Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev told reporters.

"Of course, the price of the same [Russian natural] gas is several times higher in Europe. Therefore, the essence of this letter [sent to the Armenian foreign ministry] is that when the law is adopted, of course, there will be a referendum later. And for us, the Armenian people are a fraternal people. That is why I wrote to my [Armenian] colleague so that everyone knows in advance how events will develop in the future that if they [i.e. Armenia] pass from the Eurasian Economic Union to the EU, we will not be able to supply them [with natural gas and oil products] at the price at which we supply them now," Tsivilev said.

"I think that when the Armenian people make that decision, they should understand these economic factors," added the Russian minister of energy, and added that the purpose of the aforesaid letter was only that, since Russia has always treated the Armenian people as a fraternal people.