Withdraw the military base, leave the EAEU: What is Armenia's interest?

After the Bishkek meeting between Vladimir Putin and Nikol Pashinyan, discussions around the future of Armenia-Russia relations have intensified once again. The Russian military base, the EAEU, the CSTO, Armenian railways, and possible new agreements have become key topics in reviewing Armenian-Russian relations.

In an interview with A1 Plus, I talk about what Putin's statement actually means when he said that if Armenia wishes, Russia is ready to withdraw the 102nd military base, and why such decisions must be made not on assumptions, but on a clear calculation of Armenia's national and state interests.

I also address the consequences of a possible withdrawal from the EAEU, relations with the European Union, Armenia's export markets, the potential "reset" of Armenian-Russian relations, and the question of whether Armenia has real alternatives in the security and economic spheres today.

We also discuss domestic political developments, the recovery of illegal property, cases brought against former authorities, and why delayed and selective justice cannot replace systemic reforms.

Armenia's main challenge is singular: to accurately calculate its own interests and, based on those interests, conduct relations with Russia, the West, and other states in the region.