Russia denies talks on transferring Armenian railways to Kazakhstan
01.04.2026,
17:42
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova denied reports that negotiations are underway to transfer management of Armenia's railways to Kazakhstan.
YEREVAN, April 1. /ARKA/. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova denied reports that negotiations are underway to transfer management of Armenia's railways to Kazakhstan.
"On March 30, Russian Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin announced that Moscow is not negotiating with either Astana or Yerevan to transfer a concession to manage Armenia's railways to Kazakhstan. This is very important to take into account, as the statement was made at the level of the relevant department's leadership," Zakharova said at a briefing on Wednesday, responding to a question about the understanding of the timeframe for high-level contacts on this issue and the acceptability of such a scenario for the Russian side.
She recalled that the concession agreement concluded between Armenia and Russian Railways in 2008 is for 30 years, with the possibility of an extension for another 10 years.
"For many years now, South Caucasus Railways CJSC has been responsibly fulfilling the terms of this agreement. Russian investment in the republican railway has amounted to over 30 billion rubles. As for high-level negotiations, the presidential administration traditionally comments on them," Zakharova said.
About a week ago, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said he had discussed the issue of the railway in Armenia with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"On March 30, Russian Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin announced that Moscow is not negotiating with either Astana or Yerevan to transfer a concession to manage Armenia's railways to Kazakhstan. This is very important to take into account, as the statement was made at the level of the relevant department's leadership," Zakharova said at a briefing on Wednesday, responding to a question about the understanding of the timeframe for high-level contacts on this issue and the acceptability of such a scenario for the Russian side.
She recalled that the concession agreement concluded between Armenia and Russian Railways in 2008 is for 30 years, with the possibility of an extension for another 10 years.
"For many years now, South Caucasus Railways CJSC has been responsibly fulfilling the terms of this agreement. Russian investment in the republican railway has amounted to over 30 billion rubles. As for high-level negotiations, the presidential administration traditionally comments on them," Zakharova said.
About a week ago, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said he had discussed the issue of the railway in Armenia with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
