Former President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili has urged Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to run away from Russia in order to save himself and the Armenian statehood.
In a Facebook post published on Tuesday, December 5, Saakashvili said the Russia’s “ban” on the import of Armenian brandy and agricultural produce should turn on all the red lights for Pashinyan.
“[Russian President Vladimir] Putin has not unliked Armenian cognac, but Pashinyan himself, and the embargo is another step in squeezing him out of power,” Saakashvili noted.
“I want to repeat again for the Prime Minister of Armenia. Dear Nikol, run, run faster, run without looking back from the CSTO, from the Eurasian Union, run to the European Union, NATO, to new regional unions. But most importantly, run away from Russia, save yourself and the Armenian statehood! Putin is like a bulldog. He bites and doesn't let go until he clenches his teeth. Break away from this bite to survive.|
Back in October, Saakashvili published an open letter to Pashinyan, warning of threats from Putin.
Noting that Pashinyan has little time, the former Georgian leader said: “As difficult as it may be for you, the latest events around Armenia give our region a new chance. After some time, we can live like three Baltic countries - with open borders, create a whole system of logistics, financial, energy hubs, using the advantages of each of our three. But for this you must hurry and throw away any hesitation, go all-in. Demand the immediate withdrawal of the Russian military base, withdraw from the CIS, CSTO, customs union and submit an application to the European Union and NATO.”