Armenia does not want to worsen relations with Russia, but restrictions on businesses contradict EAEU rules – Rubinyan
26.08.2026,
13:12
Armenia is doing nothing to worsen relations with Russia, but restrictions on Armenian businesses do not comply with EAEU rules, stated RA National Assembly Speaker Ruben Rubinyan.
YEREVAN, August 26. /ARKA/. Armenia is doing nothing to worsen relations with Russia, but restrictions on Armenian businesses do not comply with EAEU rules, stated RA National Assembly Speaker Ruben Rubinyan.
"We are not taking any action to worsen relations with Russia. On the contrary, we are doing everything possible to maintain normal and friendly relations," Rubinyan noted at a briefing on Wednesday.
In this context, he emphasized that the unfair and unjustified restrictions imposed on Armenian businesses are inconsistent with either the spirit of Armenian-Russian relations or the rules of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
Rubinyan recalled that the very purpose of the EAEU is to ensure the free movement of goods between member countries and duty-free trade.
"Here we're not dealing with freedom, at least de facto," he said.
On restrictions on imports of Armenian products to Russia
Since the end of May, Russia has been gradually introducing restrictions on the import of certain products from Armenia, citing violations of phytosanitary requirements. The restrictions include flowers, mineral water, certain beverages and alcoholic beverages, vegetables, fruits, berries, grapes, potatoes, dried fruits, and later live fish and fish products, and, starting on July 27, dairy products.
The restrictions also include a ban on the transit of products of Armenian origin through Russia to other EAEU countries.
On August 10, Vazgen Poghosyan, head of the Central Bank of Armenia's monetary policy department, stated that the impact of Russian measures could affect 1-1.5% of Armenia's GDP.
"We are not taking any action to worsen relations with Russia. On the contrary, we are doing everything possible to maintain normal and friendly relations," Rubinyan noted at a briefing on Wednesday.
In this context, he emphasized that the unfair and unjustified restrictions imposed on Armenian businesses are inconsistent with either the spirit of Armenian-Russian relations or the rules of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
Rubinyan recalled that the very purpose of the EAEU is to ensure the free movement of goods between member countries and duty-free trade.
"Here we're not dealing with freedom, at least de facto," he said.
On restrictions on imports of Armenian products to Russia
Since the end of May, Russia has been gradually introducing restrictions on the import of certain products from Armenia, citing violations of phytosanitary requirements. The restrictions include flowers, mineral water, certain beverages and alcoholic beverages, vegetables, fruits, berries, grapes, potatoes, dried fruits, and later live fish and fish products, and, starting on July 27, dairy products.
The restrictions also include a ban on the transit of products of Armenian origin through Russia to other EAEU countries.
On August 10, Vazgen Poghosyan, head of the Central Bank of Armenia's monetary policy department, stated that the impact of Russian measures could affect 1-1.5% of Armenia's GDP.
