Pashinian described the September 1 meeting, held on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, as “very good,” saying the two leaders had agreed to continue their “frank and constructive conversation” during his upcoming visit to Moscow.
“Armenia-Russia relations are extremely important for both countries, and we treat these relations with great care, as does Russia, led by President Putin,” Pashinian said in a live Facebook video published late Tuesday.
At the same time, citing a “new environment” and “new conditions,” Pashinian said the relationship needed to be “reformulated,” expressing confidence that it would become “better, more constructive, more mutually beneficial and warmer.”
During the Bishkek meeting, Pashinian defended Armenia’s efforts to develop alternatives to its traditionally close ties with Russia, implying Yerevan’s increasingly close relations with the West.
He also cited the changed situation in the South Caucasus following the establishment of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan after decades of conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.
“Relations between Russia and Armenia had a different meaning during the [Armenian-Azerbaijani] conflict. And now that peace has been established in the region, we feel we need to take a fresh look at the situation,” Pashinian told Putin.
Russia for decades acted as the main mediator between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Its influence in the two former Soviet countries appeared to wane following a U.S.-backed peace deal reached by Yerevan and Baku last year.
Moscow has in recent years expressed concern over Armenia’s closer ties with the West, particularly the European Union.
Putin reiterated during the meeting his previous call for a referendum in Armenia on whether the country should remain in the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) or seek membership in the EU.
Putin referred to Armenia’s 2025 law on commencing the process of accession to the EU, arguing that the adoption of legislation initiating membership in another economic organization effectively amounts to a declaration of withdrawal from the EEU.
Pashinian has repeatedly rejected calls for such a referendum, saying that while Armenia seeks to diversify its political and trade relations, including with the EU, it sees no urgent need for it at this stage.
“This issue is not yet ripe enough to be put to a referendum,” he said at the Bishkek meeting.
Moscow has repeatedly made clear that it will no longer treat Yerevan favorably in economic relations, including by selling natural gas at a significantly lower price than elsewhere, if Armenia moves toward EU membership.
Talking to the media after the meeting, Putin said Russia and Armenia had agreed to continue their dialogue “in a calm manner,” adding that Pashinian had proposed a thorough review of their cooperation in each area.
“Let them honestly say what they want, what their goals are,” Putin told journalists.
Putin said he had invited Pashinian to Moscow for a detailed review of bilateral cooperation involving Russian and Armenian specialists, citing the railway and infrastructure development as areas for discussion. He said future Russian investment in Armenia’s railway would depend on the volume of freight traffic.
Earlier, Armenia suggested that Russia, which manages the country’s railway under a concession agreement, sell it to a third party. Moscow rejected the proposal.
Asked about the continuing Russian military presence in Armenia, Putin said Moscow would withdraw its military base from the Armenian city of Gyumri “even tomorrow” if Yerevan decided that it was no longer needed.
“But is Armenia ready for that?” Putin said. “We won’t impose anything on anyone.”
“But if the Armenian people want some kind of Russian military presence there, then we will stay and work,” the Russian president added, as quoted by Russian news channel RBC.
Russia maintained its military presence in Armenia after the collapse of the Soviet Union, with the 102nd military base established in Gyumri under an interstate agreement signed in 1995. The initial 25-year agreement was extended in 2010 until 2044.
Armenian Prime Minister Pashinian indicated in February that Yerevan had no plans to seek the withdrawal of Russia’s military base from Armenia.