The Kremlin warned on Monday that Armenia could lose access to heavily discounted Russian gas if it distances itself from Moscow’s integration frameworks, underscoring growing geopolitical tensions ahead of a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Yerevan.
Russia said Armenia currently enjoys preferential gas prices through its participation in Moscow-led economic structures, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stressing that such terms would not apply under alternative alliances where pricing follows market rates.
The remarks come as Armenia seeks stronger ties with the European Union after approving legislation last year to begin its EU accession process, while still relying significantly on Russian energy supplies and hosting Russian military bases.
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said Yerevan has no intention of severing relations with Russia and remains committed to maintaining and strengthening normal political and economic ties with Moscow.
Rubio is scheduled to meet Mirzoyan on Tuesday and attend a memorandum-of-understanding signing ceremony, according to the U.S. State Department, though details of the agreement have not been disclosed.
Relations between Armenia and Russia have deteriorated since Azerbaijan regained control of Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023 despite the presence of Russian peacekeepers in the region.
Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted in April that Armenia pays about $177.50 per 1,000 cubic metres of Russian gas, compared with prices exceeding $600 in Europe, describing the difference as substantial.
Putin has also argued that it would be logical for Armenia to hold a referendum on its ambitions to join the European Union.
The debate over Armenia’s foreign policy direction comes ahead of parliamentary elections in June, where Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government faces opposition groups with stronger pro-Russian positions.
The developments reflect Armenia’s balancing act between preserving strategic ties with Russia while pursuing closer engagement with Western institutions.