Pashinyan: Armenia Would Not Block Russian Military Base Withdrawal
Pashinyan says Armenia would not object to withdrawal of Russian military base
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that Armenia would not oppose a Russian withdrawal of its 102nd Military Base from Gyumri, clarifying Yerevan's position on the contentious issue.
Pashinyan said the matter was not discussed during his recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bishkek. He emphasized that Armenia does not consider the Russian military presence a vital necessity and has never raised the question of withdrawal with Moscow.
His remarks followed Putin's statement that Russia was prepared to leave "even tomorrow" if Armenian leadership determined the military presence was no longer needed. The 102nd Military Base has been stationed in Gyumri since 1995 under an interstate agreement currently extended through 2044.
