Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu made a series of statements about Russian-Armenian relations, emphasizing Armenia's economic dependence on cooperation with Russia and criticizing certain foreign policy steps taken by Yerevan.

According to Shoigu, Russia supplies Armenia with natural gas, flour, grain, fertilizers, and gasoline at prices three times below market rates. He also noted that up to 98% of Armenia's agricultural exports and 78% of its strong alcohol exports go to the Russian market.

The Russian Security Council Secretary separately addressed the topic of labor migration. He stated that Armenian citizens work in Russia without quotas, patents, or work permits, and in 2025 transferred nearly $3.9 billion to their home country. According to him, this sum constitutes a significant share of the Armenian economy.

Shoigu also highlighted the role of Russian tourists, stating that in 2025, approximately 40% of all tourists in Armenia arrived from Russia and supported the country's economy through their spending.

At the same time, he criticized Yerevan's foreign policy course. According to Shoigu, in 2025–2026, Armenia's strategic partners became states that Moscow considers unfriendly. In particular, he described providing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with a platform at the European Political Community summit as "a desecration of the memory of Armenians" who participated in the fight against Nazism.

The Russian Security Council Secretary also emphasized that the Russian and Armenian peoples are bound by centuries-long relations and a shared history, and that Russia, according to his assertion, played an important role in preserving Armenia's sovereignty in the 1990s.

Speaking about the prospects of Armenia's cooperation with the European Union, Shoigu questioned on what terms the Armenian side intends to supply apricots, trout, and mineral water to the EU.

In conclusion, he stated that cooperation with Russia remains "the main driver of Armenia's economy," while emphasizing that relations between the two countries are "a two-way street."

Source: https://news.am/en/news/1037015