Russia would not want to "pay" for Armenia's European integration at the expense of the privileges that Armenia receives thanks to its membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

"If the process of introducing European standards into Armenian legislation and normative practice has already begun, then Russia would not want to pay for [Armenia’s] membership in the European Union or [the country’s] preparation for membership at the expense of the huge privileges that Armenia receives in the Eurasian Economic Union," Lavrov said during a session held within the framework of the International Festival of Youth.

Russian foreign minister recalled that at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek recently, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had agreed to hold a separate meeting to discuss Armenia's current membership in the EAEU and its European integration.