Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that if Armenia no longer requires the Russian military base in Gyumri, Moscow is prepared to withdraw it as early as tomorrow. He emphasized that there would be no coercion in this matter, as Russia does not intend to impose anything on the Armenian side. However, he also stressed that if the Armenian people wish for the base to remain, Russia will continue to cooperate. The Russian President made these remarks during a press conference while addressing recent statements by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan regarding the CSTO, which have raised questions about Armenia's future steps. Putin also noted that he has invited Pashinyan to Moscow to discuss various points and hold meetings on the bilateral agenda.
The Russian leader highlighted that the Karabakh conflict ended long ago and stated that while he does not wish to dwell on the recent past, the roots of the current issues lie there, continuing to affect the regional situation and relations between Armenia and Russia.
In recent months, Armenia's leadership has repeatedly criticized the CSTO's activities and announced a review of its relations with the alliance, which has been perceived in Russia as a signal of cooling allied relations. The presence of the Russian military base in Armenia has long been a key component of military-political cooperation, and Putin's latest statement effectively poses a direct question to the Armenian authorities and public: are they prepared for the potential consequences of such a move?
This statement by Putin significantly changes the tone of the ongoing discussions regarding bilateral relations. While the future of the military base was previously discussed primarily as a topic of strategic analysis, it is now presented directly to the Armenian side as a concrete issue that requires a timely response.
For Armenia, perhaps the most critical aspect in this situation is not the fate of the base itself, but the impact this decision would have on the overall security environment to which the country is accustomed. Russia is clearly demonstrating its readiness to consider Armenia's position, but at the same time, it expects clarity, which in turn could create new challenges for Armenia in its relations with other military-political structures.
