Media: Russia may stop gas supplies to Armenia from November

Russia may completely stop natural gas supplies to Armenia from November 1 if Yerevan fails to fulfill a number of Moscow's political demands. This was reported on September 24 by the Armenian newspaper Hraparak citing its own sources in Russia.

The outlet claims that this is no longer about a possible increase in the price of Russian gas for Armenia, which had been discussed in recent weeks, but about a scenario of a complete halt in supplies. So far there has been no official confirmation of such plans from either Moscow or Yerevan.

According to Hraparak, the Russian side has allegedly put forward four main demands to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the fulfillment of which should prevent the stoppage of gas supplies.

The first concerns the Russian 102nd military base in Gyumri: as the newspaper claims, Moscow wants the Armenian authorities to give up discussing its future. The second relates to companies with Russian capital, including railway infrastructure and Gazprom assets.

The third demand, according to Hraparak's sources, concerns the further foreign policy course of Armenia. Moscow allegedly needs either the annulment of the law on starting the process of the country's accession to the European Union, or the setting of a date for a referendum on this issue.

The fourth block of demands allegedly envisages the cessation of persecution of politicians and businessmen who are considered pro-Russian in Russia. Among possible figures the outlet names ex-president Robert Kocharyan, Gagik Tsarukyan, Andranik Tevanyan and businessman Samvel Karapetyan.

In addition, the newspaper's sources claim that Moscow would like the appointment of a deputy prime minister in the Armenian government with whom the Russian authorities could directly interact.

Hraparak links the possible scenario of a supply halt to the ongoing repair work on the gas pipeline. From September 15 to 25 the supply of Russian gas to Armenia was indeed temporarily suspended due to planned repairs on the “North Caucasus – Transcaucasia” main pipeline. Gazprom Armenia said at the time that consumers would continue to receive gas without restrictions due to internal reserves and additional supplies from Iran.

At the same time, on September 24, Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Alen Simonyan stated that he had no information about a possible change in the terms of Russian gas supplies. He emphasized that Yerevan intends to diversify energy sources and does not want to depend on a single supply route.

According to him, Armenia is ready to consider gas supplies from various countries, including via neighboring states, if relevant proposals emerge. Simonyan also noted that the price of Russian gas has not only an economic but also a political component.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan previously also stated that Armenia would diversify gas supplies regardless of Russia's future pricing policy. According to him, Yerevan is negotiating with various potential suppliers.

Russia remains the main supplier of natural gas to Armenia, so a prolonged halt in supplies would require Yerevan to significantly increase alternative imports, primarily through Iran. So far neither Gazprom nor the Armenian government has publicly confirmed that Russian gas supplies could be halted from November 1.

Based on materials from: Hraparak, Armenpress, Radio Azatutyun