Russia Accuses West of Pressuring Armenia Over Railway Concession
Russia accuses western countries of pressuring Armenia over South Caucasus railway concession
Russia's Foreign Ministry has accused Western countries of pressuring Armenia to remove Russian involvement from the South Caucasus Railway operation in exchange for promised investments. The accusation follows recent discussions at a Eurasian council meeting in August.
Moscow defended the Russian concession holder's record, stating it has invested over 30 billion rubles and responsibly managed the railway system. The ministry disputed claims that the Russian concession blocks Armenia's participation in regional logistics projects.
The dispute has intensified in recent months. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced in July that Armenia is prepared to pursue arbitration over the railway operation if a friendly resolution cannot be reached, potentially seeking $2 billion annually in compensation. Russian Railways has reaffirmed its commitment to the concession terms while warning that termination could trigger demands for return of investments.
