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The Armenian authorities will hardly rush to leave the Eurasian Union (EAEU), claims Russian MP Konstantin Zatulin, the deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots.

“The EAEU membership benefits Armenia and has been the main driver of the economic growth that Armenia has been experiencing recently, mainly due to the difficulties, sanctions and other problems facing Russia. The country benefits from it as a customs logistics hub, a place of refuge for re-locants and capitals, so it will not rush to withdraw from the EAEU on its own initiative. But I don't rule out that sooner or later Mr. [Prime Minister Nikol] Pashinyan's new friends or, rather, his old Western friends, may demand that he take a clear stance on the matter,” the MP told Absatz Media.

Zatulin stated that the Armenian government seeks to minimize its participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and to withdraw from the security bloc altogether in the future.

“Armenia does not participate in CSTO events and has basically suspended its membership. I do not rule out that at some point the issue of the fate of the Russian military base in Gyumri could arise. While still not prime minister, Pashinyan actively pushed for the withdrawal of the Russian military from Armenia,” he added.