Moscow, unlike the West, has living people here, who sometimes die - Sergei Kopyrkin
ArmInfo. Armenia's entry into the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) was dictated by the realities in which RA was located. Russian Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia Sergei Kopyrkin stated this in an interview with 24News, referring to the words of the Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Alen Simonyan that Yerevan has always followed the path of European integration, but suddenly it was pulled into the EAEU overnight.
"As for the fact that Armenia has always followed the path of European integration: Let's see what kind of baggage we have in relations in all spheres, including economic," the ambassador suggested, adding that it was this relationship that played a decisive role in Armenia's accession to the EAEU.
The diplomat also recalled that Armenia clearly stated its interest in continuing to participate in these integration processes, and this was reflected in the program of Armenia's chairmanship in the EAEU.
"What Mr. Simonyan says, in my opinion, is not very consistent with the reality, with the official position that is actually expressed by the Armenian side," the Russian ambassador noted.
Regarding the issue of attempts to involve Armenia in the Union State, the diplomat noted that he is not aware of this issue being raised as a subject of political dialogue. At the same time, he called the format of the Union State unique, where two sovereign states interact closely. He once again emphasized that this topic has never been raised, and the Armenian authorities need to be asked where they got their opinions on this part.
Touching upon Armenia's arguments on the issue of foreign policy reorientation, Kopyrkin noted that there is again a certain distortion here, since Russia is not against diversification, the search for new partners, since this is in line with the policy of the Russian Federation itself.
"The question is different. What worries us is that certain forces that claim to oversee Armenia and its foreign policy put these relations in an anti-Russian context and do not hide it," he said.
In response to the remark, that is, the Russian Federation is not against Armenia purchasing weapons from France, the ambassador emphasized that this is the sovereign right of the Republic of Armenia and is not raised here and the question "against, not against" is not appropriate at all.
"But I think the thesis that the formula for ensuring security in interaction with Russia has turned out to be untenable is erroneous. I think this is erroneous. Until now, everything that is happening - despite all the problems, they convince me that it is important to have these allied relations," he emphasized.
Regarding the accusations against the CSTO, Kopyrkin proposed returning to the same events around Jermuk in September 2022. He recalled that the Chief of Staff of the CSTO, the Secretary General of the CSTO, immediately arrived in Yerevan, a report was prepared, and a draft decision was drawn up on it to send a mission to the Republic of Armenia and provide military-technical assistance to the Armenian side, but this document was vetoed by the Prime Minister of Armenia.
"What is the argument for the refusal to approve this document? That there was no corresponding statement. But, you understand, that a decision was made and a readiness to take specific measures was expressed. Where would the CSTO mission be located, on whose territory? This is obvious. I have a feeling of what "It's a given that this is used as a reason, not a reason," added the Russian Ambassador to Armenia.
To the remark that the ally refused to recognize the borders of Armenia and condemn Azerbaijan, and the EU did this, Kopyrkin retorted: "Yes, but the ally stationed a battalion group in Goris at the request of the Armenian side, additional border posts, and at its own expense, without receiving a counter readiness to formalize all this in a legal framework. Do you still want to check the checkers or go? Moscow, unlike the West, has living people here, who are also dying, as was the case with peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh. Therefore, the cost of its statements for Russia is much higher than for the European Parliament, or the French Parliament, whose chairman comes to Yerevan a month later and publicly says that this is not the policy of France."
Speaking about Armenian-Russian cooperation in the defense sector, the diplomat noted that Moscow takes its contractual obligations seriously. Recognizing that for objective reasons there were certain difficulties with the supply of weapons, the ambassador noted that now contacts are in an active phase and existing contracts should be implemented within the next two years.
To the remark, in the event of the outbreak of hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Tavush, will the Russian side come to the rescue, Kopyrkin, in particular, said: "I have no reason to believe that Russia is abandoning the obligations that it has assumed under the agreements that we have. All our public statements, in my opinion, give no reason to question this."
At the same time, he wondered what purpose the statements made by certain Armenian officials still pursue, whether it is necessary for the Russian Federation to fulfill its obligations, or is everything being done to prevent it from fulfilling them.
Regarding the prospects for the return of Artsakh residents to Nagorno-Karabakh, the ambassador recalled that the real purpose of finding Russian peacekeepers was for the Armenians to remain in their homes. "Since Russian peacekeepers continue to be there, as I understand it, this issue has not been removed from the agenda - this is the right of the Armenians of Karabakh to return to their homes," the Russian ambassador said, adding that this is a difficult issue, especially after the Armenian authorities recognized Artsakh part of Azerbaijan, without even mentioning a word about the rights of Artsakh people.