Russian Foreign Ministry stated that Armenia has not requested the withdrawal of its military base from Gyumri
15.09.2026,
11:46
Russia has not received any requests from Armenia regarding the withdrawal of the Russian military base from Gyumri and continues to consider it an important element of security for the republic and the South Caucasus, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin told Izvestia.
YEREVAN, September 15. /ARKA/. Russia has not received any requests from Armenia regarding the withdrawal of the Russian military base from Gyumri and continues to consider it an important element of security for the republic and the South Caucasus, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin told Izvestia.
Earlier, on September 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that "if the Armenians believe that Armenia doesn't need the Russian military base, we will leave tomorrow." Two days later, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that the Armenian side does not consider the presence of the Russian military base in the country vital and that if Moscow decides to withdraw the military base from Armenian territory, Yerevan will not object.
"We have not received any requests from the Armenian side regarding the withdrawal of the Russian military base stationed in Gyumri. We continue to think that it is an important element of the security architecture of Armenia and the South Caucasus," Galuzin said.
According to him, the topic of Russia's military presence is currently being actively discussed in Armenia's socio-political arena, but Moscow does not yet see a real alternative.
"Many are rightly asking: what is the alternative? In our view, none is currently in sight. Frankly, it's difficult to imagine, for example, French soldiers in this role, if only due to France's geographical distance from Armenia," the Deputy Foreign Minister noted.
At the same time, Russia is ready to discuss continued cooperation with Armenia in defense and security, including within the framework of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's proposed "inventory" of bilateral relations, Galuzin added.
On the 102nd Russian Military Base in Armenia
The 102nd Russian Military Base has been stationed in Gyumri since 1995, based on an interstate agreement between Armenia and Russia. The base is on combat duty as part of the CIS Joint Air Defense System and is the only Russian military base in the Transcaucasus.
In 2010, the parties extended the agreement until 2044, with the option of automatic renewal for subsequent five-year periods. The base is equipped, among other things, with S-300 systems and a personnel complement of approximately 5,000.
Earlier, on September 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that "if the Armenians believe that Armenia doesn't need the Russian military base, we will leave tomorrow." Two days later, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that the Armenian side does not consider the presence of the Russian military base in the country vital and that if Moscow decides to withdraw the military base from Armenian territory, Yerevan will not object.
"We have not received any requests from the Armenian side regarding the withdrawal of the Russian military base stationed in Gyumri. We continue to think that it is an important element of the security architecture of Armenia and the South Caucasus," Galuzin said.
According to him, the topic of Russia's military presence is currently being actively discussed in Armenia's socio-political arena, but Moscow does not yet see a real alternative.
"Many are rightly asking: what is the alternative? In our view, none is currently in sight. Frankly, it's difficult to imagine, for example, French soldiers in this role, if only due to France's geographical distance from Armenia," the Deputy Foreign Minister noted.
At the same time, Russia is ready to discuss continued cooperation with Armenia in defense and security, including within the framework of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's proposed "inventory" of bilateral relations, Galuzin added.
On the 102nd Russian Military Base in Armenia
The 102nd Russian Military Base has been stationed in Gyumri since 1995, based on an interstate agreement between Armenia and Russia. The base is on combat duty as part of the CIS Joint Air Defense System and is the only Russian military base in the Transcaucasus.
In 2010, the parties extended the agreement until 2044, with the option of automatic renewal for subsequent five-year periods. The base is equipped, among other things, with S-300 systems and a personnel complement of approximately 5,000.
