Russian Foreign Ministry accuses the West of pressuring Armenia over the South Caucasus Railway concession

Russia's Foreign Ministry has accused Western countries of pressuring the Armenian leadership over the concession of the South Caucasus Railway, which is managed by Russian Railways.

According to the ministry, in exchange for "promised multimillion-dollar investments" Yerevan is being asked to remove the "Russian factor" from the management of the country's railway network.

Moscow recalled that the issue was discussed on the sidelines of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council meeting in Cholpon-Ata on 6–7 August.

The Armenian authorities have said that modernising the railways is necessary, including for the TRIPP route and restoring regional transport links.