Pashinyan says Armenia has not sought withdrawal of Russian base

Armenia is ready to discuss with Russia the continued presence of the 102nd Russian military base in Gyumri, while stressing that Yerevan has never sought its withdrawal from the country.

According to Report, citing Armenian media, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told parliament on Wednesday that Armenia was prepared to discuss the issue if Russia wanted the military base to remain.

"If Russia wants the military base to stay, Armenia is ready to discuss this issue," Pashinyan said.

He noted that Armenia had never raised the issue of withdrawing the 102nd Russian military base from the country.

At the same time, Pashinyan said Armenia would not object if Russia itself decided to withdraw the base, as its presence in the country was not of vital importance.

Armenian Security Council Secretary Alen Simonyan also told journalists that the Armenian side had made no statements calling for the withdrawal of the Russian base.

He said statements about the military base had come from the Russian side and that Yerevan had not raised the issue with Moscow.

"As the prime minister put it, if they want to stay, let them stay; if they want to leave, let them leave," Simonyan said.

He added that Armenia would formulate its position if negotiations on the issue began.

Simonyan also addressed the possibility of higher prices for Russian gas, saying Armenia would continue seeking alternative supply options as part of its broader economic security policy.

He said Armenia intended to pursue diversification and balance rather than replace dependence on one country with dependence on another.

According to Simonyan, Armenia was prepared to buy gas from any available supplier, including Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran and, if such an opportunity emerged, Türkiye.

He also questioned the view that Russian gas was necessarily cheaper for Armenia, arguing that the cost of gas should not be measured solely in dollar terms and saying that gas was also being used as a political instrument.

Asked whether Armenia and Russia were officially discussing a possible change in the price of Russian gas, Simonyan said that, judging by public reactions and statements, the issue appeared to be on the agenda.