State Duma says Russia will take back all its "gifts" from Armenia

Russia will take back all its "gifts" and preferences from Armenia if Yerevan plays along with the West.

This was stated to TASS by Alexey Chepa, first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, commenting on the words of Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev that there is no point for Moscow to "cast pearls" before the current Armenian leadership.

Chepa emphasized that it will be impossible for Yerevan to "sit" in both the EU and the EAEU at the same time.

"They want to receive all the preferences from Russia and play along with the West. Let them play along. But then, naturally, we will also take away all the gifts that we have been giving [this] country for many years. And it will be very difficult for Pashinyan," the first deputy chairman of the State Duma committee said.

Chepa considers Yerevan's statements that someone will oppose their participation in the CSTO to be groundless. "No one will, let them leave on their own. If they don't want to, let them leave. No one is holding anyone back," the deputy said.