Opposition Strong Armenia party chairman, businessman and philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan on Tuesday reflected on the possible increase in the Russian natural gas tariff for Armenia.

Such a prospect is conditioned by the possible termination of Armenia’s membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

Speaking with reporters, Karapetyan noted that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told another lie last week that the price of Russian natural gas had increased several times.

“Whether they will increase it [i.e. the Russian natural gas price in Armenia]or not depends entirely on Pashinyan’s intelligence and abilities. He is a ‘strong negotiator,’ I am sure he will ask for an increase. His goal is to make the Armenian people poorer. Pashinyan is collecting excellent votes in [Armenia’s] regions having a poverty level of 50 percent or more,” Karapetyan noted.