YEREVAN. –  Armenia's joining Customs Union will lead not only to economic slump, but political collapse, former presidential candidate Raffi Hovannisian said. 

Hovannisian, leader of opposition Hritage party, said the phone conversation between Armenia and Russia showed “who is who”.

“The phone conversation showed vassal relations between Armenia and Russia, showed Russia's attitude and how our leaders consider themselves. Besides, the phone conversation was inexpedient,” he added.

He said Armenian authorities are better to recognize Nagorno-Karabakh than admire regular independence proclamations.

“And my friend U.S. Ambassador John Heffern should not be surprised and offended by illegitimate authorities who chose Customs Union. It was Heffern and his western colleagues who stated legitimacy of presidential elections,” he emphasized.

In a phone conversation with Russia's Vladimir Putin earlier this week, Serzh Sargsyan said Crimea referendum is another example of implementation of people's rights to self-determination through free expression of will.