Russian President's assistant Yuri Ushakov announced that President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will discuss Armenia's aspiration for EU membership and cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) during their meeting in Bishkek at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit.
"We plan to have a conversation with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Vova Pashinyan. We continue to insist that Armenia cannot aspire to EU membership while simultaneously reaping huge benefits from cooperation within the Eurasian Economic Union. This issue needs to be resolved somehow. And the president and the prime minister will undoubtedly discuss this," Ushakov said.
Commenting on the arrests occurring in Armenia, Putin's assistant noted that they raise "great concern" in Moscow. "Of course, this conversation will take place against an unusual backdrop, when opposition leaders are being mass arrested, especially those who have defended and advocated for the restoration of traditional fraternal relations between our two countries. In other words, this topic will undoubtedly be discussed. And, of course, this line of the Armenian leadership raises great concern for us," Ushakov added.
The SCO summit will take place from August 31 to September 1. The Russian delegation will also include Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk, and Presidential Assistant Maxim Oreshkin.
