Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow is prepared to withdraw its military base from Gyumri “even tomorrow” if Armenia decides it no longer needs it but would remain if Armenians want a Russian military presence.

Putin made the comments at a press conference yesterday in Bishkek following the close of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, where he met Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan. They discussed several issues, including Armenia’s aspirations to join the EU, which Moscow says are incompatible with membership in the Eurasian Economic Union.

The 102nd Russian Military Base in Gyumri, Armenia, serves as Russia's primary military stronghold in the South Caucasus. The facility hosts approximately 3,000 to 5,000 Russian troops, alongside heavy armor, S-300 air defense missile systems, and MiG-29 fighter jets. The official bilateral deployment treaty is legally valid until 2044, which includes provisions for automatic 5-year extensions.

When a reporter asked Putin to comment on remarks made by Pashinyan on August 24  that he would be "very pleased" if the Moscow-backed Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) officially expelled Armenia, the Russian leader said the problem started with the Karabakh issue.

Putin said that the Moscow-backed CSTO defense alliance’s hands were tied after Pashinyan declared that Karabakh was a part of Azerbaijan.

Putin emphasized that the current Armenian leadership, specifically Prime Minister Pashinyan, voluntarily signed a document in Prague acknowledging that Nagorno-Karabakh is recognized as part of Azerbaijani territory. 

Putin argued that from the exact moment Armenia recognized Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan, Russia’s position naturally became complex. He questioned whether Russia should have interfered in what became the "internal political affairs of Azerbaijan," especially when Western and European nations also recognized Azerbaijani sovereignty over the region.

Regarding Armenia’s desire to join the EU, Putin said that while he would respect any decision made by Yerevan, Armenia could not remain in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) at the same time. 

“We have historically shared ties of friendship with the Armenian people, and even more than that. We have very deep-rooted relations with Armenians, with the Armenian people in general, with Armenians in this region of the world. But it's simply impossible to be in both organizations at the same time. It's simply impossible. We have different phytosanitary norms, different technical standards. We have many things that are incompatible, at least for now.”

Putin said that while Armenia has yet to formally leave the EAEU, it’s a moot point since Pashinyan, on August 24, declared that it will officially apply for European Union (EU) membership "in the near future.