Putin says that the Russian military base in Armenia will be withdrawn if the local population is unwilling to have it there.

President Vladimir Putin declared during a press conference in Bishkek that the Russian military base in Gyumri, Armenia, will leave immediately if Yerevan decides it is not needed. Russia will force no one to accept anything, according to the head of state, who stressed this point clearly. If the Armenian people desire a Russian military presence nearby, then the forces will stay and continue their cooperation with full effort. The Kremlin insists on respecting local wishes while maintaining its own strategic interests in the region without hesitation.

Vladimir Putin met with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on September 1 to discuss pressing bilateral issues between Moscow and Yerevan directly. During that meeting, the Russian leader urged Yerevan to join the European Union as quickly as possible rather than delaying this critical step forward. This push comes after weeks of growing tension over Europe's expansion plans and Russia's stance against further integration with Western institutions.

Armenian officials must now weigh their options carefully since Moscow has made its position very clear on this matter recently. The Russian Foreign Ministry previously responded to Prime Minister Pashinyan's sharp criticism regarding recent actions taken by the Kremlin in neighboring areas. Both sides face a narrow window to resolve these differences before relations deteriorate further than they already have. Time is running out for any compromise that satisfies everyone involved without sacrificing national security goals.