Pashinyan: Armenia to Continue Wheat Imports from Russia While Exploring Other Options

During a Parliament-Cabinet Q&A session on Wednesday, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that Armenia will continue to buy wheat from Russia, but will also remain open to considering offers from other suppliers in the market.

His remarks came in response to questions regarding statements made by the Russian intelligence agency and the Russian President's press secretary, The Caspian Post reports citing Armenpress.

The Prime Minister officially denied claims that Armenia, “for political reasons,” is seeking to “shift away” from Moscow and “assist” Kyiv by purchasing Ukrainian grain at higher prices and abandoning Russian grain supplies. The Russian agency had alleged that Armenia intended to cover the price difference using funds from the European Union.

Pashinyan denied this information at a briefing with reporters on November 11. However, the press secretary of the Russian president, Dmitry Peskov, stated that the Russian intelligence agency "never disseminates unsubstantiated reports".

“Armenia will never refuse to purchase wheat from Russia- I say this officially,” Pashinyan stated. “At the same time, Armenia will not refuse to consider other offers in the market. It is out of the question that someone will come and say, "We have wheat, can you buy it?" and we will cover our ears and run away. That will not happen."

The Prime Minister added that Armenia has already received proposals from other sellers. “When other suppliers saw that Armenia had purchased wheat from Kazakhstan, they asked whether their offers would interest us,” he said.

“We ask about the price. If the price is good, it will be interesting; if not, we will say it is not. What is the problem? Is buying wheat a marriage? I do not understand that logic. We have not entered into such a relationship with anyone in the wheat trade,” Pashinyan added.