Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was on a working visit to Russia on May 8. In Moscow, he is presiding over the jubilee session of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, which commemorates the tenth anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union. At the beginning of the session, Pashinyan extended a warm welcome to all participants and expressed gratitude to the Russian hosts for their hospitality. 

He further emphasized that the meeting coincided with the tenth anniversary of signing the Treaty on EAEU, highlighting the Union's role as a vital platform for economic cooperation among member states over the past decade. Pashinyan stressed the importance of developing the normative base of the EAEU within an economic logic framework, respecting the interests of all member states to maintain the Union's effectiveness and focus efforts on national socio-economic development priorities. He underscored the need for EAEU cooperation to benefit citizens and businesses, contributing to improved well-being and modernizing national economies.

Addressing specific agenda items, Pashinyan noted the delays in forming a common market with unified regulatory systems in the energy sector. While expressing readiness for constructive dialogue, he emphasized the importance of implementing measures within a reasonable timeframe. Armenian PM advocated for creating a legal framework to safeguard trade and economic interests, supporting initiatives such as the protocol on electronic exchange of information with Vietnam and negotiations with Mongolia. He highlighted the significance of developing transport infrastructure to boost trade turnover and reiterated Armenia՛s commitment to the “Crossroads of Peace'' project to facilitate trade and economic relations while respecting state sovereignty.

In conclusion, Pashinyan reaffirmed Armenia's support for the fundamental principles of the EAEU Treaty and expressed readiness for active cooperation to further economic cooperation within the Union.

Armenian PM Meets Russian President Putin in Kremlin

Following the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) summit, the Armenian PM privately conversed with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin. As reported by the government readout, Vladimir Putin welcomed Nikol Pashinyan and emphasized the positive impact of cooperation within the EAEU over its 10th anniversary. Putin emphasized the significant increase in trade turnover between Armenia and EAEU countries since 2015 and the successful development of bilateral economic relations between Russia and Armenia. While security issues in the region were acknowledged, they were not openly discussed.

PM Pashinyan expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality and for organizing the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council session. 

Later, Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of Russian President Vladimir Putin, downplayed the complexity of the conversation between President Putin and Armenian PM Pashinyan, stating that there was no need to exaggerate it.

''Of course, there are certain problematic topics in our bilateral relations. But on the other hand, the closer the interaction between the two countries, the broader the complex of bilateral relations, the more often they meet there and arise various problems,'' Peskov noted.

Withdrawal of Russian military

On May 9, Dmitry Peskov, the Russian Presidential Spokesman, stated that during bilateral discussions, Vladimir Putin and Nikol Pashinyan reached an agreement concerning the withdrawal of Russian military and border guards from certain regions of Armenia.

"Indeed, because conditions have changed, Pashinyan and Putin have agreed on this issue," Peskov stated. He further mentioned that at the request of the Armenian government, Russian border guards would continue to be stationed along the borders with Iran and Turkey.

The press secretary remarked that, following a request from the Armenian side, Russian border guards will continue their deployment along the Armenia-Turkey and Armenia-Iran borders. "They will remain there and continue to perform their functions," Peskov added.