Russia will maintain normal relations with Armenia, whatever path it chooses, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, Vedomosti reports.

“Russia has only one request for Armenia: to hold a referendum on the EU as soon as possible,” the Russian leader added during a meeting with media leaders on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

Also, Putin noted that there is nothing unusual in Yerevan’s desire. According to him, the political forces of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan have long been talking about aligning themselves with Western standards.