The EU is already demanding that Armenia reduce the presence of Russian business in strategic sectors, sever humanitarian ties with Russia, and suppress internal opponents who speak out against this, the press bureau of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service reported.

On Tuesday, the press bureau of the SVR reported that the agency is receiving information indicating that Brussels is aware of the inevitability of a deep economic crisis in Armenia if Yerevan leaves the Eurasian Economic Union. Many European countries have already signaled to the EU leadership that they are not ready to open their markets to goods from Armenia to the detriment of their own producers.

“At the same time, Brussels bureaucrats will continue to convince Yerevan of their unconditional support. The lack of progress in providing concrete assistance is intended to be explained by the fact that accession to the EU will depend entirely on Yerevan and its ‘achievements’ on the path of European integration. In particular, Prime Minister N. Pashinyan’s government is already being required to reduce the presence of Russian business in strategic sectors, sever humanitarian ties with Russia, and suppress internal opponents who speak out against this,” the statement said.

According to the SVR, this course is expected to be encouraged through manipulation of the prospects for visa liberalization for Armenian citizens and promises that, in the “beautiful distant future,” Armenia will be turned into a “prosperous crossroads of peace.”