Russian Deputy Prime Minister: Pashinyan's remarks about Russian Railways being "toxic for Armenia" are out of touch with reality
02.09.2026,
16:00
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that Russian Railways is "toxic for Armenia," but this has no basis in reality. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk pointed this out.
YEREVAN, September 2. /ARKA/. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that Russian Railways is "toxic for Armenia," but this has no basis in reality. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk pointed this out.
"Nikol Vovayevich tells us that Russian Railways is supposedly toxic for Armenia due to some sanctions, but Russian Railways delivers cargo through Russian territory—transit cargo—to Europe, for example, and (no one) is raising any questions about any toxicity or sanctions against Russian Railways except Pashinyan," TASS quotes him as saying.
Armenia's plans for the South Caucasus Railway
Since 2008, Armenia's railway network has been under the concession management of South Caucasus Railways, a subsidiary of Russian Railways.
In February 2026, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan did not rule out the possibility of transferring the railway's management rights to another country friendly to both Armenia and Russia, such as Kazakhstan, the UAE, or Qatar.
On July 30, Pashinyan admitted to financial demands on Russia in the amount of approximately $2 billion in the context of the South Caucasus Railway concession, noting that Yerevan expects to resolve the issue through dialogue.
On the same day, Russian Railways CEO Oleg Belozerov stated that the Russian side intends to adhere to the terms of the concession agreement and, in the event of its termination or amendment, expects a return on investment. According to Russian estimates, over 30 billion rubles have been invested in the Armenian railway system since the concession was established.
"Nikol Vovayevich tells us that Russian Railways is supposedly toxic for Armenia due to some sanctions, but Russian Railways delivers cargo through Russian territory—transit cargo—to Europe, for example, and (no one) is raising any questions about any toxicity or sanctions against Russian Railways except Pashinyan," TASS quotes him as saying.
Armenia's plans for the South Caucasus Railway
Since 2008, Armenia's railway network has been under the concession management of South Caucasus Railways, a subsidiary of Russian Railways.
In February 2026, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan did not rule out the possibility of transferring the railway's management rights to another country friendly to both Armenia and Russia, such as Kazakhstan, the UAE, or Qatar.
On July 30, Pashinyan admitted to financial demands on Russia in the amount of approximately $2 billion in the context of the South Caucasus Railway concession, noting that Yerevan expects to resolve the issue through dialogue.
On the same day, Russian Railways CEO Oleg Belozerov stated that the Russian side intends to adhere to the terms of the concession agreement and, in the event of its termination or amendment, expects a return on investment. According to Russian estimates, over 30 billion rubles have been invested in the Armenian railway system since the concession was established.
