Russia continues to believe that partnership with Armenia is in the interests of the peoples of both countries and is beneficial to them, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with Vesti.

“[Armenian Prime Minister Nikol] Pashinyan said that Russia is not a strategic partner [of Armenia]. We [i.e. Russia] continue to believe that the partnership between our two countries is one that meets the interests of both peoples and is beneficial to both peoples,” Peskov said.

The Kremlin spokesperson added that if Pashinyan adheres to a different position and can explain it to Armenian citizens, then Armenians will express their view on it in a referendum—if it is held.