Kalugin: Russia is ready to consult with Armenia Russia's possible participation in the "Trump Route" project

A Russian official said that Moscow is ready to discuss with Armenia its possible participation in the "Trump Route" project.

Mikhail Kalugin, director of the 4th CIS Department at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that while the details of the “Armenian-American project have yet to be studied, Russia is ready to consult with its Armenian partners to discuss the parameters of the initiative, as well as Russia’s possible participation", according to the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.

He added that “there are sufficient grounds for Russian participation” in the project.

“Our company, South Caucasian Railways, which is a subsidiary of Russian Railways, holds the management concession for Armenia’s railway network. The region uses Russian railway lines,” the official said.

According to the Russian official, the Trump Route would mostly pass through territory that falls under the area of responsibility of Russian border guards.

“We must also take into account Armenia’s membership in the Eurasian Economic Union. It is obvious that our partners cannot do without Russia,” the Russian Foreign Ministry official said.