Without Russia, Armenia Will Be 'Swallowed Up': State Duma Member

Yerevan should not turn its back on Russia and abandon the military base in Gyumri, as Armenia will be 'swallowed up' without its traditional ally, believes Andrey Kolesnik, a member of the State Duma's defense committee from the 'United Russia' party.

Previously, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that if Yerevan believes the Russian military base in Gyumri is no longer necessary, the Russian side would withdraw even tomorrow and not impose anything on anyone. In response, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that Yerevan is ready to discuss the maintenance of the Russian military base in Armenia if Russia expresses such a desire.

"This base balances certain threats. It has been justifiably located there for several decades. It is not worth turning away from your allies; they will swallow you up immediately. It’s a small country. Russia has always come to Armenia's aid, and the relations between our peoples have traditionally been good," Kolesnik told RIA Novosti.

The deputy added that the relations between the countries have now become complicated. According to Kolesnik, Pashinyan must clarify his choice of allies and not try to "sit on two stools." "We have always fulfilled all our obligations," the deputy emphasized.

The Russian military base in Gyumri has been located there since 1995 under an intergovernmental agreement. In 2010, changes were made to the document, extending its deployment period from an initial 25 years to 2044.