On May 31, Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk stated that Armenia faces a potentially difficult gas situation. He emphasized that Armenians should look at the map to identify existing pipelines and understand their fuel sources. “They just need to look at the map,” he said in recent remarks. Overchuk noted the impact of a 30% export duty, market price fluctuations, and intermediaries on the process, adding that Russia does not want such complications.
Earlier on May 29, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Armenia could lose up to 14% of its gross domestic product if it raised energy prices due to withdrawing from the Eurasian Economic Union. Russia will also implement higher energy prices for Armenia following Armenia’s exit from the union.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko accused Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of lying to his citizens regarding plans to establish new gas transit routes through Belarus.
