Pashinyan says Armenia will not seek crisis in relations with Russia

Armenian Prime Minister said on Thursday that his government has no intention of triggering a crisis in relations with Russia, while stressing that Armenia's foreign policy will continue to be guided by its own national interests.

Speaking at a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Yerevan, Pashinyan said Armenia has never sought to undermine ties with Russia and has no plans to do so.

"We have never sought to create a crisis in Armenia-Russia relations, we do not seek one now, and we will not in the future," he stated.

Pashinyan said Armenia pursues its policies based on its national interests, while remaining mindful of the interests of its international partners.

"Naturally, we do not disregard the interests of any of our international partners, but we cannot place the interests of any other partner above Armenia's own interests," he said. "I believe that is a natural position for any sovereign state."

Pashinyan also said he initiated a phone call with the Russian prime minister on Wednesday. The two agreed to hold more substantive discussions in the near future, he said.