The Russian Federation has provided the Republic of Armenia with information regarding the consequences that may arise if Yerevan continues the process of joining the European Union. This was stated in an interview with the agency "RIA Novosti" by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova.
Content of the letter and legal grounds According to Zakharova, the Russian embassy in Armenia officially transmitted a letter from the Russian Minister of Energy Sergey Tsivilev addressed to the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia (TAI).
The transmitted document states that if official Yerevan continues the process of joining the EU, the Russian side will unilaterally suspend or cancel the intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the supply of natural gas, oil products, and unprocessed diamonds signed on December 2, 2013.
Strategic significance The agreement of December 2, 2013, is one of the cornerstones of economic and energy cooperation between Armenia and Russia. It regulates the preferential and regulated conditions for the import of natural gas, oil products, and unprocessed diamonds from Russia to Armenia. The possible cancellation or suspension of this agreement could have a significant impact on Armenia's internal energy market, pricing policy, and several sectors of industry.
