Russia warns Armenia that it may stop cheap fuel supplies to Armenia if Yerevan continues EU-course

Russia warned Armenia on Wednesday that it would halt or cancel a deal to supply cheap gas and oil if the country decided to pursue its EU bid.

Moscow warned ahead of an election scheduled for June 7, with opinion polls showing the Civil Contract Party of Prime Minister Nikol Pahinyan, who has forged a closer relationship with the West, much to Moscow's annoyance.

The Russian Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said that the Russian Embassy had sent a letter stating that if the EU accession process continues, the Russians will unilaterally suspend or terminate the Agreement on Cooperation in the Supply of Natural Gas, Petroleum Products, and Rough Diamonds.

Armenia, with a population of 3 million people, has always had strong ties with Russia. It is home to Russian military bases, and heavily depends on Russian energy imports. According to Interfax, it imported 2.7 billion cubic meters (bcms) of gas in the past year. 82% of that came from Russia.

In recent years, Yerevan's ties with Moscow have weakened as it has sought to strengthen its ties with Washington and Brussels. Moscow accused Armenia earlier this month of being drawn into the EU's anti-Russian orbit.

U.S. Secretary?of?State Marco Rubio?visited Yerevan on Tuesday and signed an?agreement of strategic partnership with Armenia's Foreign Minister. Armenia also adopted a new law to launch its EU membership process. (Reporting and Writing by Lucy Papachristou Editing Andrew Osborn

(source: Reuters)