Armenia has not asked Russia to withdraw the Russian military base stationed in Gyumri, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said in an interview with Izvestia.
He added that Moscow continues to maintain its position that the military base is an important component of the region’s security architecture, TASS reports.
“We have received no request from the Armenian side regarding the withdrawal of the Russian military base stationed in Gyumri. As before, we proceed from the understanding that it is an important element of the security architecture of Armenia and the South Caucasus,” the diplomat said.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that if the Armenian people wished, Russia was prepared to maintain its presence at the Gyumri military base for further work and cooperation. At the same time, he said that if Yerevan no longer saw a need for it, the Russian contingent could “leave as early as tomorrow.”
Pashinyan said there had been no discussion concerning the Russian military base stationed in Armenia during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bishkek. He said the presence of the 102nd Military Base on Armenian territory was not a vital necessity.
