Armenia cynically exploits Eurasian Economic Union in its bid to join EU — Duma speaker

Armenia cynically exploits Eurasian Economic Union in its bid to join EU — Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin urged Armenia to clarify its foreign policy courseMOSCOW, August 26. /TASS/. Armenia’s policy of declaring its intention to join the European Union while simultaneously benefiting from the opportunities offered by the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is cynical, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin has said. "I wish Armenia would not pursue a deceitful policy. If Armenia adopts a law declaring its intention to join the EU, why then is it exploiting the opportunities of the Eurasian Economic Union? Why deceive its members? It is cynical and wrong. Just say: ‘You’re going to join the EU? Go ahead.’ But then you should not receive preferential treatment here," Volodin said in an interview with the Vesti TV news program. According to Volodin, Russia purchases almost 90% of Armenian products. He noted, however, that Russian consumers could source similar agricultural products from other countries. "There are many countries that want to trade with Russia. France wants to sell its products, as does Italy, despite the sanctions. In terms of quality, I think their wine is better than Armenian wine. The same applies to fruit. Turkey, Georgia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan all want to supply fruit and vegetables to our market. But Armenia, as an EAEU member, enjoys preferential treatment. This is a matter of honesty and integrity," Volodin said. He urged Armenia to clarify its foreign policy course. "In this regard, one can only support the president’s words: ‘Hold a referendum.’ Make a decision, choose your path and follow it," he concluded. TagsForeign policyArmeniaSingle Voting DayOver 2 million Russians wish to vote online — CEC chairAccording to Ella Pamfilova, the number continues to growRead moreRussia, Serbia agree to continue consultations on security challenges — foreign ministryThe sides spoke in favor of continuing the practice of holding regular consultations and maintaining close contacts in the area of combating international terrorism Read moreFederal Treasury transfers $8.9 bln to Russia’s federal, regional budgetsAccording to head of the Treasury Roman Artyukhin, budget execution reached 54.1% in the first half of the yearRead moreBattlegroup South destroys Ukraine’s Bucephalus APC, 71 fixed-wing UAVs over past dayThe battlegroup's strike UAV crews have also eliminated two foreign-made Senator armored combat vehicles, two field artillery weapons and 43 ground robotic systemsRead moreRussian Soyuz-2.1b rocket with spacecraft lifts off from Plesetsk spaceport — ministryThe rocket carries a spacecraft in the Russian Defense Ministry’s interestsRead moreUkraine’s metals industry on verge of systemic shutdown — agencyFor Ukraine, a systemic crisis entails a loss of export revenues, rising construction costs, and issues with the hryvnia exchange rate, the RBC-Ukraine notedRead moreSecurity at critical facilities to be tightened — Kremlin spokesmanDmitry Peskov said that Russia is facing an obvious threat of drone attacks against both critical infrastructure and facilities that are critical to the economy and social sphereRead moreFACTBOX: Aftermath of Ukrainian drone attack on Russian regions, 426 neutralized UAVsTwo people were killed after a private home caught fire following a drone crash in the Lipetsk RegionRead moreAnother ten troops returning to Russia today from captivity — human rights commissionerYana Lantratova clarified that the swap process in Belarus is currently being finalized using a ten-for-ten formulaRead moreNovatek to pay dividends for 1H amounting to 35.5 rubles per shareThe payment amount could total 107.79 bln rublesRead moreRussia, Ukraine working toward new large POW exchange — ombudswomanLists are being agreed, Russian human rights commissioner Yana Lantratov saidRead moreRussian company Sector develops EW-resistant video receiver for UAVsThe device is already being used in Russia’s special military operation zone un UkraineRead moreFirefighters extinguish blaze at Amur Gas Chemical Complex construction siteSearch and rescue teams found four Chinese nationals working for a contractor dead, bringing the confirmed death toll to sevenRead moreUkraine to be forced to repay aid received from the West — Duma speakerVyacheslav Volodin called Western aid to Ukraine a bondage for the Ukrainian peopleRead moreIconic US cultural center calls demolition warning a hypothetical scenario"This language describes a hypothetical scenario of what could happen if the Center’s desperately needed renovation is blocked by partisan interests," a spokesman for the cultural institution saidRead moreIn case of catastrophe on Earth the Moon could be humanity's salvation — Roscosmos CEODmitry Bakanov emphasized the utmost importance of developing all life support technologies on the MoonRead moreRussian troops liberate Annovka community in Donetsk region over past day — top brassThe Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,275 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hoursRead moreMaximum rate on ruble deposits up to 12.9% in second ten-day period of August — regulatorThe rate was 12.89% per annum in the first ten days of this monthRead moreUS not planning new strikes on Iran, may focus on other means of pressure instead — AxiosAccording to the news portal, Washington will focus on putting more economic pressure on Iran through the sanctions and naval blockadeRead moreFirst engine for Voronezh ultralight space rockets unveiled at TechnopromUEC representative Pavel Chupin noted that the development of Russia’s liquid-fueled engine would broaden launch capabilities for small spacecraft and reduce launch costsRead moreDeath toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon reaches 4,350 — health ministryThe amount of being injured has climbed to 12,310Read moreJapan can assemble nuclear weapons within one year — Kremlin aideRussian Presidential Aide and Executive Secretary of the Eastern Economic Forum Organizing Committee Anton Kobyakov drew attention to Japan’s revanchist militarizationRead moreWest no longer willing to allow Ukraine to strike civilians in Russia — senatorThis is evident both in the harsher language used by international organizations and in the changing tone of foreign media, Alexander Voloshin saidRead moreOne civilian killed, eight others injured in Ukrainian attacks on DPR during past daySix civilian infrastructure facilities, three residential buildings, a shuttle bus, and trucks were damaged in the attacksRead moreRussia to retain fourth place globally in terms of purchasing power parity — expertEven amid persistent and mounting external pressure, Russian economy is maintaining its relative standing, Executive Director of the Stolypin Institute of Growth Economics Anton Sviridenko saidRead moreFACTBOX: What we know about detention of Armenia's former president, his sonArmenia's Anti-Corruption Committee accuses Robert Kocharyan of removing a number of valuable real estate properties from state ownership and acquiring them at below-market pricesRead moreKiev ignores UN reports on Ukrainian Orthodox Church persecution — Russia’s MFAThe topic of persecution against the UOC is "increasingly being raised, which is encouraging, in the media, including abroad, and the legal community is addressing it," Mikhail Melekh saidRead moreSweden wants to expropriate plot belonging to Russian, allegedly over "security threat"Real estate is located near a military base on the island of MuskoRead moreIN BRIEF: Kremlin Spokesman Peskov on US aircraft in Moscow, Ukrainian settlement termsTASS has compiled the key statements by the Kremlin spokesmanRead morePress review: Vatican eyes Ukraine peace role as Slovakia keeps Russian energy contractsTop stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, August 26thRead moreBrussels’ energy policy could exacerbate EU’s chronic gas crisis — expertNorway has remained the largest gas supplier to the European Union since 2022, though its resource base is gradually depleting, Igor Yushkov said Read moreNo contacts between Kremlin, US representatives planned — spokesmanRussia’s contacts with Ratcliffe were conducted through special services, Dmitry Peskov addedRead morePress Review: EU boosts arms aid to Ukraine as India bolsters Russia ties amid US pressureTop stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, August 25thRead moreUS Secret Service aware of Iranian video threatening Barron Trump’s lifeAccording to a number of US media outlets, the Iranian media broadcast a video suggesting option for killing Barron Trump for a reward of $10 millionRead moreRescuers find cabins carrying tourists swept away from thermal springs on SakhalinRescuers landed at the thermal springs and have now set off on foot toward the location where the containers were foundRead moreRussia’s Andreeva/Rublev reach US Open mixed doubles semifinalsThey will face the Czech duo of Karolina Muchova and Jakub MensikRead moreRussia could approach India in terms of purchasing power parity — expertAnton Sviridenko said it is necessary for Russia to expand access to credit resources for business, ensure the conversion of citizens’ savings into investment, and enhance the stock market’s roleRead moreUS authority allocates almost $40 million for drone purchases to combat crime in UkraineThe authority works with foreign governments, law enforcement agencies and the private sectorRead moreRussia’s Il-76 aircraft prevents fire from spreading to populated areas in SerbiaSerbian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic emphasized Russia's rapid response to the request for firefighting assistanceRead moreTrump warns Iran against placing mines in Strait of HormuzAccording to the US leader, all mines within the international waters of the Strait of Hormuz have been destroyed or removedRead moreUkraine is definitely losing in conflict — KremlinThe dynamics in all frontline areas clearly demonstrate this, Dmitry Peskov underscoredRead moreIn calls with foreign leaders, Trump demands that they cut ties with Iran — BessentUS Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent refused to name those who received calls from the USRead moreEEF can't be called SPIEF's 'little brother' anymore — officialThe EEF has long stepped out of the shadow of its 'older brother' to stand on its own in the calendar of international events and among Russia’s national priorities, Anton Kobyakov saidRead moreWestern countries hosting largest number of Ukrainian refugees significantly cut their aidGermany currently hosts the largest number of Ukrainian refugees in the EU at 29.2%, amounting to 1.29 million peopleRead moreRussian authorities will decide on extending ban on diesel exports soonFully meeting domestic fuel needs, including those of agricultural producers during seasonal field operations, remains a prior task, the Russian Energy Ministry notedRead moreDeployment of NATO military contingents in Ukraine unacceptable for Russia — KremlinDmitry Peskov emphasized that Russia has consistently conveyed its position at multiple levelsRead moreRussia wants Vatican to denounce Kiev’s actions against Ukrainian Orthodox ChurchMikhail Melekh said that Vatican is generally aware of the lawlessness going on in our neighboring countryRead moreTrade turnover between Russia, Belarus gains 12.5% in 1H 2026Last year trade turnover between the two countries grew by around 3%Read moreEmployee injured in fire at Wildberries logistics center outside Tambov after drone attackAll employees were evacuated promptly after the emergency was reportedRead moreUS lawmaker Luna lauds reports about CIA chief’s trip to RussiaJohn Ratcliffe is doing some great things on behalf of the US, Anna Paulina Luna saidRead moreCIA chief's visit to Russia, Kiev regime’s collapse, Armenia situation: Kremlin’s briefingAccording to Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, there were no direct contacts between the Russian President and John RatcliffeRead moreEpstein case reveals real face of Western elites seeking to rule world — Lavrov"It is unnecessary to explain to any normal person that this is pure Satanism and is beyond human comprehension," the Russian Foreign Minister addedRead moreTop Iranian diplomat hails agreement with Oman of Hormuz as example of regional solutionsIranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized that "Iran’s commitment to peace and stability goes hand in hand with ongoing diplomatic work with neighboring states"Read moreDeath toll from fire at gas plant in Siberia rises to three, 146 people injuredTwenty four people were hospitalized in the city of Svobodny with injuries of varying severityRead moreSyrian Kurd leader says armed groups to be dissolved — agencyCommander of the Kurd’s Syrian Democratic Forces Mazloum Abdi also said that the Kurdish autonomous administration in northeastern Syria will become part of the governmentRead morePutin signs decree on measures to protect critical infrastructureAccording to the decree, the Russian government may assume temporary control over critical infrastructure sites, when owners neglect security protocols or delay necessary repairsRead moreDodon does not rule out provocations at Russia-protected ammunition depots in TransnistriaAccording to the former president of Moldova, the Moldovan intelligence service is downplaying the potential consequences of ammo warehousesRead moreIranian attacks cause billions in damage to US surveillance hardware in Middle East — TVThe Iranian attacks raise doubts about whether the Department of State, the Pentagon and the US intelligence community are sufficiently prepared to guarantee due protection to US sites in the region, the TV channel saidRead moreZelensky regime, Western countries are exterminating Ukrainian people — Duma speakerVyacheslav Volodin stressed that the Zelensky regime understood perfectly well that no one would need it, should it end the war with RussiaRead moreFrance wants to restrict Ukraine’s arms purchases from non EU countries — TVThe European 2026-2027 program for the Kiev regime amounts to 90 billion euros to be disbursed for various needs, including militaryRead moreRussia still open to international cooperation in science — deputy PMDmitry Chernyshenko highlighted that Russia's scientific community had enormous potential and all the necessary foundations for developing domestic high-tech productsRead moreKazakhstan to cut 2026 oil output target due to CPC attacksKazakh Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said the revised target now stands at 96 mln metric tonsRead moreIN BRIEF: Ukrainian connection in drone incident in GermanyThe Russian Foreign Intelligence Service questioned whether the German authorities have the political will "to draw impartial conclusions and officially announce them"Read moreTehran's condition for resuming dialogue is US compliance with Islamabad agreementAccording to the source, the Pakistani side is actively working to communicate this stance to the United StatesRead moreCIA chief arrived in Russia for contacts between special services, Kremlin tells WPDmitry Peskov declined to provide any further detailsRead moreKiev regime is collapsing from within — KremlinThere is a quasi-political fuss underway deep inside the Kiev regime and it is becoming increasingly intense, Dmitry Peskov saidRead moreUkraine’s ex-Defense Minister Fyodorov says Kiev losing in conflict with RussiaAccording to Mikhail Fyodorov, now is the pivotal point Read moreRussia calls on international bodies to compel Kiev to disclose data on missing clergyMikhail Melekh noted that the Kiev regime systematically and en masse sends clergy to the front, many of whom disappearRead moreTurkey has no hidden agenda in Middle East, Erdogan saysAccording to the Turkish president, the republic's goal is to ensure an atmosphere of peaceRead moreWith attacks on homes Kiev admits it is unable to reclaim Donbass, Novorossiya — activistAccording to Anton Bibarov-Gosudarev, recent assaults on a residential building and the United Russia party headquarters in Melitopol, Zaporozhye, underscore this strategyRead moreUkrainian tactics in Zaporozhye Region resemble medieval siege methods — Russian diplomatRodion Miroshnik said that Kiev attempts to isolate settlements in violation of international humanitarian lawRead moreWest seeks to create flashpoints along Russia’s borders, Medvedev saysThe Russian Security Council deputy chairman said that it had been going on for centuriesRead moreBrent crude oil falls below $87 per barrel on ICE exchange for first time since August 14The WTI crude oil futures with September delivery was down by 4.95% to $80.8 per barrelRead moreRussian Foreign Ministry summons Romania's charge d’affaires for ThursdayEarlier, the Romanian Foreign Ministry issued a statement announcing the expulsion of a Russian diplomatRead moreUS military transport plane lands in MoscowThe aircraft departed from Andrews Air Force Base near WashingtonRead moreGrowing interest in Russia in Asia reflects credit on Eastern Economic Forum — officialAnton Kobyakov noted that Asian economists advocate for the restoration of full-fledged relations with MoscowRead moreMoscow court orders in-absentia arrest of FAZ journalist MartensRussian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Martens’ calls for the murder of Russians were unacceptable and criminalRead moreUS-Iran talks on settling conflict reach impasse — Egyptian Foreign MinistryEgyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty emphasized that Egypt "continues to maintain contact" with Tehran and advocated for a swift end to the conflictRead moreBattlegroup North captures Ukrainian soldier, destroys 133 fixed-wing UAVs over past dayThe battlegroup's units have eliminated a T-64 tank, an Israeli-made RADA counter-battery radar station and up to 215 Ukrainian personnelRead moreWhat is known about detention of eleven terrorist suspects in Russia’s North CaucasusThe arrests took place at the detainees' places of residenceRead moreEnergy ministry assesses diesel fuel situation on Russian market as stableThe ministry reported that additional volumes following export restrictions were redirected to the domestic marketRead moreIran to hold talks on managing Hormuz with Oman within a timeframe of 60 days — diplomatIran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabad confirmed that the waterway will remain closed and that Iran has full control of the areaRead moreUS entrepreneur persuades investors of profitability of orbital data centers — FTSpaceX aims to dominate a key segment of the AI economy by creating a new market for orbital data centers, according to the newspaperRead moreShnaider/Ruud reach quarter finals vs. Andreeva/Rublev at US OpenThe 2026 US Open is the fourth and final Grand Slam event of the year, with the main draw of the singles running from August 30 through September 13Read moreWest won’t allow Kiev to produce Patriot systems, fearing backfire — expertAccording to Alexander Pataman, the Kiev regime is capable of turning this ‘handout’ against his masterRead moreMalva howitzer shells strike targets simultaneously along different trajectories — RostecThe state corporation specified that the howitzer is designed to engage command posts, defensive fortifications, artillery and missile batteries, air defense positions, and armored vehicle convoysRead moreIran has legitimate right to wield control over Strait of Hormuz — Vice President ArefReza Aref emphasized that "the double standards of the West in terms of human rights and the justification of crimes such as the killing of 168 teenagers require Iran to rely on internal reserves so that its position in the international arena is stable"Read moreEconomic war against Iran could end in defeat for US allies — expertIran still has considerable capacity to disrupt everybody else’s exports, Jorge Leon saidRead moreUkrainian armed forces drop explosives disguised as children’s toys from dronesThe Ukrainian military often uses eye-catching objects to disguise improvised explosive devicesRead moreWhat to know about Amur Gas Chemical Complex fire that left one deadAccording to reports, 19 people were hospitalizedRead moreSlovak police foils attempted arson at drone production facilityCharges have been brought against three foreignersRead moreRussia not to forget Ukraine’s terror attack on Starobelsk, to seek justice — LavrovThe Russian foreign minister said the Kiev regime continues demonstrating its utter brutality by targeting childrenRead moreState Duma promises Russia will strip Armenia of all 'gifts' if it pivots to WestAlexey Chepa said it will be impossible for Yerevan to "sit on two stools" simultaneouslyRead moreReality sets in for Ukraine’s former defense chief, Russian envoy saysKirill Dmitriev also noted that "the blame game for failures" begins in UkraineRead moreUS suspends immigrant visa application processing worldwide — FTThe State Department did not say when immigrant visa appointments would resumeRead moreRussian stocks down as main trading session opensAs of 10:00 a.m. Moscow time, the MOEX and RTS declined by 1.2%Read moreUkrainian settlement, AI, POWs rights: Lavrov’s talks with Vatican envoyMoscow expects the Vatican will pay attention to Kiev's illegal actions, the Russian foreign minister stressedRead moreOne civilian killed, seven wounded in Ukraine’s attacks on DPR during dayThree dwelling houses, six civilian infrastructure facilities, a bus, and eight trucks were damagedRead moreIsrael expels Netherlands officials from Gaza support center — Foreign MinistryThe Dutch representatives have been instructed to leave Israel within one weekRead moreEuropean leaders cut off their own path to participation in negotiations — legislatorEuropean countries are openly involved in the Ukrainian conflict, granting Kiev permission to produce long-range missiles for attacks on civilians, Leonid Slutsky saidRead moreResearch directions for North Pole·43 expedition outlinedDirector of the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute Alexander Makarov noted that the scientific program will primarily include oceanology, geophysics, and atmospheric researchRead more