YEREVAN. – The United States accepted Armenia’s joining the Customs Union not to lose Armenia’s government machine which is being under America’s influence, member of Karabakh committee Ashot Manucharyan said.

In order not to offend Russia and angry “bear”, Armenia had to take this step, while Armenia is considered Russia's foothold with pro-American officials, Manucharyan said.

“Unless Armenia declared its intention to enter the Customs Union, then there would be a confrontation between the U.S. and Russia, so that Russia would destroy the pro-American ruling apparatus of Armenia,” he said during the Saturday press conference.

Manucharyan also noted that, in reality, for Armenia it was not a matter of choosing between the EU and Russia. The choice was between the U.S. and Russia. The European Union is nothing but a structure through which the U.S. exercise control over Europe.

“The struggle for influence in Armenia has not ended, the United States and Russia continue geopolitical division,” Manucharyan added.