Moscow views Yerevan's statements about transferring the South Caucasus Railway concession to Russia as blackmail by the West
26.08.2026,
16:33
Moscow views Armenia's statements about transferring the South Caucasus Railway concession to Russia as blackmail by Western capitals, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated.
YEREVAN, August 26. /ARKA/. Moscow views Armenia's statements about transferring the South Caucasus Railway concession to Russia as blackmail by Western capitals, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated.
Earlier, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that the country was prepared to consider selling the concession rights for the Armenian railway to a third party for approximately $400 million, so as not to miss the opportunity to integrate into the international rail network, while taking Russia's interests into account.
"Considering that the issue of transferring the concession to anyone has not been raised previously, it is highly likely that the Armenian leadership is simply being blackmailed. They are demanding the elimination of the 'Russian factor' in the transport sector, and in exchange, they are promising multimillion-dollar investments and connection to projects whose economic viability is hardly evident. "This is entirely consistent with the dishonest games being played by Western capitals to oust Russia from the South Caucasus region," the Foreign Ministry told reporters on Wednesday, Interfax reported.
The ministry noted that Yerevan's arguments that "the Russian concession allegedly prevents Armenia from participating in logistics initiatives" are completely untrue.
"All clarifications on this matter have been provided at various levels. However, the Armenian side is finding it difficult to provide counterarguments," the Russian Foreign Ministry noted.
The Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized that "before making public statements, partners usually sit down and discuss existing problems and concerns in a businesslike manner, especially if there is a desire, as Yerevan claims, to find an amicable solution," the Foreign Ministry added.
"SCR CJSC fulfills its obligations with the utmost responsibility and has made significant investments—over 30 billion rubles, including in rolling stock renewal." "It is significant that their schedule was adjusted at the request of the Armenian side. It was precisely the expertise of Russian railway workers that helped Armenia maintain its competitive advantages, which today, in principle, allow us to discuss unblocking communications in the region," the Russian Foreign Ministry added.
Earlier, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that the country was prepared to consider selling the concession rights for the Armenian railway to a third party for approximately $400 million, so as not to miss the opportunity to integrate into the international rail network, while taking Russia's interests into account.
"Considering that the issue of transferring the concession to anyone has not been raised previously, it is highly likely that the Armenian leadership is simply being blackmailed. They are demanding the elimination of the 'Russian factor' in the transport sector, and in exchange, they are promising multimillion-dollar investments and connection to projects whose economic viability is hardly evident. "This is entirely consistent with the dishonest games being played by Western capitals to oust Russia from the South Caucasus region," the Foreign Ministry told reporters on Wednesday, Interfax reported.
The ministry noted that Yerevan's arguments that "the Russian concession allegedly prevents Armenia from participating in logistics initiatives" are completely untrue.
"All clarifications on this matter have been provided at various levels. However, the Armenian side is finding it difficult to provide counterarguments," the Russian Foreign Ministry noted.
The Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized that "before making public statements, partners usually sit down and discuss existing problems and concerns in a businesslike manner, especially if there is a desire, as Yerevan claims, to find an amicable solution," the Foreign Ministry added.
"SCR CJSC fulfills its obligations with the utmost responsibility and has made significant investments—over 30 billion rubles, including in rolling stock renewal." "It is significant that their schedule was adjusted at the request of the Armenian side. It was precisely the expertise of Russian railway workers that helped Armenia maintain its competitive advantages, which today, in principle, allow us to discuss unblocking communications in the region," the Russian Foreign Ministry added.
