Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Yerevan would not object if Russia decided to withdraw its 102nd Military Base from Gyumri, arguing that the facility no longer plays a vital role in Armenia’s security.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Pashinyan stressed that Armenia had never initiated discussions with Moscow about removing the Russian military presence.
“We have never put the issue of the Russian military base operating in Armenia on the agenda,” he said, adding that Moscow had now raised the possibility itself.
“If they want to withdraw it, let them withdraw it,” Pashinyan said.
He argued that events in September 2022 demonstrated that the Russian base had “no vital significance” for Armenia’s security and said Yerevan would not stand in Moscow’s way if it chose to leave.
“The 102nd Military Base adds nothing to Armenia’s security,” he said, while adding that Yerevan was also prepared to discuss its continued presence if Russia wanted to remain.
The comments follow remarks by Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this month that Moscow was prepared to withdraw its forces if Armenia no longer wanted them.
“If Armenia believes that the Russian military base is not needed in Armenia, we will leave even tomorrow,” Putin told reporters following the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek on 2 September. He added that Russia was also prepared to maintain its presence if Armenia wanted continued military cooperation.
Russia’s 102nd Military Base has been stationed in Gyumri since 1995. An agreement subsequently extended the deployment until 2044.
Pashinyan has repeatedly stressed that Armenia itself has not requested the base’s withdrawal. He told parliament on Wednesday that neither he nor any Armenian official had raised the issue with Putin or other senior Russian officials.
The exchange comes as Armenia seeks what Pashinyan describes as a more balanced foreign policy after years of close security ties with Moscow.
Pashinyan also addressed Armenia’s strained relationship with the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization, saying Yerevan should not be threatened with removal from the alliance.
“If they want to remove us, let them,” he said.
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