Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergey Kopyrkin stated that the European Union is creating threats to Armenia–Russia relations, Radar Armenia reports.

In an exclusive interview with Rossiya 24, Kopyrkin said that Russia and Armenia can work together to counter the hybrid threats emanating from Western countries.

He emphasized that the EU is pursuing a deliberately hostile policy toward Russia and is spreading that message to its partners. Kopyrkin claimed that Western-funded NGOs are actively working to discredit Armenian–Russian relations.

“In this regard, I believe we can also cooperate and begin a dialogue with our Armenian partners—our friends—to neutralize the hybrid threats directed at our relationship,” the ambassador said.

He added that while Russia respects Armenia’s sovereign right to choose its partners and integration paths, the country’s leadership must also consider Armenia’s current membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

Kopyrkin further remarked that Russia views Armenia as still being a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), stating there is no mechanism for “suspending” membership in the organization.

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov commented on Armenia’s possible EU membership, noting that it would contradict Armenia’s obligations under the EAEU but adding that Moscow is ready to respect any decision made by Yerevan.