( Courtesy: Anadolu)
Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu accused Armenia of pursuing what he described as an “unfriendly” policy toward Russian businesses and likened the treatment of companies with Russian investments to a “raider takeover.”
Speaking at a meeting of the presidium of the Russian Security Council’s Scientific and Expert Council on Thursday, Shoigu said Russia had invested billions of dollars in Armenian enterprises and sectors and criticized the arguments being used to justify changes affecting those assets.
He also said Armenia was seeking closer ties with Western countries and warned that Moscow would not finance steps toward European integration.
Shoigu’s remarks come amid disputes involving Russian-linked assets in Armenia, including the South Caucasus Railway concession. Armenian railway infrastructure is state-owned but operated under a concession agreement by South Caucasus Railway, a wholly owned subsidiary of Russian Railways.
On Georgia, Shoigu said Russia was prepared to continue expanding economic and humanitarian ties, while on Azerbaijan he said Moscow and Baku had moved past a recent strain in relations and should focus on developing cooperation.
He also accused the United States and European countries of seeking to weaken Russian and Iranian influence in the South Caucasus and reshape political and economic arrangements in the region.
Shoigu said Russia’s priorities in the South Caucasus include regional stability, the protection of its security interests and reliable links with partners including Iran, India, Pakistan, Türkiye and Arab states.
