Putin suggested that Pashinyan decide more quickly about joining the EU

Armenia needs to decide on joining the EU as soon as possible. This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin at a meeting with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the sidelines of the SCO summit.

According to the Russian leader, Russia needs to understand how to build relations with Armenia further.

"The sooner Armenia decides on the issue of joining the EU, the better, Moscow needs to understand how to develop relations further," Putin said.

The adoption by Armenia of the law on the beginning of accession to the EU will mean the country's withdrawal from the EAEU, the Russian leader noted. He suggested that Pashinyan give the people of Armenia a choice about joining the European Union and ask what people want.

"I repeat once again: we will respect any choice of the Armenian people. As Armenia decides, so it will be, but we must adjust our trade and economic policy in connection with these possible decisions and would ask you to decide as soon as possible," Putin stressed.

At the same time, Pashinyan kept his eyes on the carpet, nervously twitching the fingers of both hands, scratching them, then looked at Putin and smiled back at him, then suddenly began to write something down…

Earlier, Putin met with Iranian President Masoud Peseshkian. "As I have said many times, Russia is in solidarity with the Iranian people. We admire your courage and steadfastness in the fight for your national interests," the Russian leader noted, in particular.

Then he had a conversation with the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon. "Naturally, we work in the field of security. We know your concerns about what is happening in the neighboring country, in Afghanistan, and we are in close contact on these and other issues related to ensuring security," Putin said, quoted by the Kremlin press service.

Vladimir Putin also met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, stressing that "Turkey is one of our privileged partners both in the foreign policy and economic spheres."

In addition, the Russian president spoke with his colleague from Mongolia, Ukhnagiin Khurelsukh. "Russian-Mongolian strategic partnership relations are based on long-standing traditions of good neighborliness, friendship, understanding of each other's mutual interests. This year, on November 5, we will celebrate the 105th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Such a serious term is 105 years," Putin said.