Armenia cannot expect comparable natural gas prices outside the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Russian Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov told this to reporters, commenting on Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s statement that Armenia was looking for an alternative to relations with Russia not only in economic but also in political terms, TASS reports.

“The EAEU is not only a key sales market, but also the main supplier of the main types of resources for the Armenian economy. Within the framework of the single [natural] gas market of the [Eurasian Economic] Union, Russia supplies gas to Armenia at a price of $177.5 per thousand cubic meters. And if we compare the price with the current ‘European’ gas prices, which today exceed $600 per thousand cubic meters, it is impossible to call it anything other than a subsidy. This amount makes up about $1 billion annually. It is unlikely that anyone outside the [Eurasian Economic] Union will be able to offer Armenia such conditions," the Russian minister noted.