Dmitry Peskov Russian President’s Spokesman commented on Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s words in an interview with the Italian newspaper La Repubblica that Russia is leaving Armenia due to its actions or inaction in the South Caucasus, RIA Novosti writes.

“Russia is an integral part of the South Caucasus, more Armenians live in Russia than in Armenia,” the Press Secretary of the Russian President said.

He assured that Russia is an absolutely integral part of the South Caucasus, and many Armenians are patriotic citizens of Russia and make a worthy contribution to the development of the country. “Therefore, Russia cannot go anywhere. Russia cannot leave Armenia.”

Notably, Pashinyan’s interview with the Italian newspaper La Repubblica was published on 2 September. There the Prime Minister stated that Russia itself is gradually withdrawing from the South Caucasus.

Later, a Russian diplomatic source told “TASS” that an attempt is currently being made to artificially remove Russia from the South Caucasus, using Armenia as a means to achieve that goal.

Earlier, Moscow was disappointed by Pashinyan’s statement about Russia.