Putin says Russia could pull its Armenia base ‘tomorrow’

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (MNTV) — Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow could withdraw its military base from Armenia “even tomorrow” if Yerevan decided it was no longer wanted, as relations fray over Armenia’s move toward the European Union.

Putin spoke after talks with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek. 

The two discussed Moscow’s repeated demand that Armenia hold a referendum on whether to pursue EU membership or stay in the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union — a choice Moscow has sharpened by warning it would end preferential terms, including cheaper natural gas, if Armenia turns to Brussels. 

Pashinyan has rejected calls for a vote, telling Putin the issue was “not yet ripe.”

Asked about the future of Russia’s presence after Yerevan formally ceased treating Moscow as a strategic ally, Putin said Russia would leave if asked but questioned whether Armenia was “ready for that,” according to the Russian state agency TASS. 

“We won’t impose anything on anyone,” he said. 

Russia’s 102nd base at Gyumri dates to a 1995 agreement, extended in 2010 through 2044. 

Pashinyan said in February that Yerevan had no plans to end the Russian presence, and Armenia has stopped short of demanding the base’s closure, though in 2024 it removed Russian border guards from its main crossing with Iran and from Yerevan’s airport. 

Whether the base was discussed in the closed session, or will be during Pashinyan’s announced visit to Moscow, is unclear.