Russia fears that Armenia's deepening European integration could lead to the closure of its airspace for Russian aircraft, as the European Union did earlier. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk stated this at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

"We [i.e. Russia] currently have no air traffic with the European Union. The European Union has closed its skies for Russian aircraft. Will Armenia also close its skies [for Russian aircraft]? If you [i.e. Armenia] join the European Union, then yes because Brussels will tell you to close the skies, and you will close the skies, and you will have no choice. And what?" Overchuk said.

The Russian deputy PM noted that such restriction would affect a considerable number of flights, and the cargo transportation system could be disrupted as well.

“Where will all these hundreds of flights per week go? Well, they will, of course, pass through [Georgian capital] Tbilisi,” he continued. “The same with border transfers. You know this because the Armenian truck will arrive in Upper Lars [checkpoint on the Russian-Georgian border], then the cargo will be transferred to a Belarusian or Russian truck, which will take the cargo to Russia, whereas the Armenian driver will return to Armenia. This is what can actually happen.”

“And we cannot ignore this and not think about these issues. We are thinking about this, we are evaluating this,” added the Russian deputy premier.