Commonwealth of Independent States General Secretary Sergey Lebedev has said Armenia will not join the European Union in the foreseeable future and will remain a member of both the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

“They will not go to the European Union, that will not happen in thenear future. No, they will not,” Lebedev said in an interview with the Russian media outlet Life.

He also gave an affirmative response when asked whether Armenia wouldremain a member of the EAEU and the CIS.

“And it will remain in the CIS. That is certain,” the CIS generalsecretary stressed.

Earlier, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that Armenia is not planning to leave the EAEU and will continue to use itsinvolvement in the bloc to protect the country’s economic interests.

Meanwhile, at a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in Astana, Armenia’s Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan reaffirmed Armenia’s readiness to continue participating in the Union’s work ingood faith, on the basis of mutual respect, equal partnership andconsideration of the national interests of member states.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Armenia’s decision on whether to move closer to the European Union or pursue another path should be made based on the interests of the Armenian people and that such a decision would not damage Armenian-Russian relations.

During a press conference, Putin stressed that the Russian and Armenian peoples have been bound by strong ties of friendship and special relations for centuries.

“Without any exaggeration, the Russian and Armenian peoples have been connected for centuries by ties of friendship and special relations. Russia and Armenia have a special relationship. I told him [Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan] that everything that is good for the Armenian people is also acceptable and good for Russia,” the Russian president said.

According to Putin, it is the Armenian authorities who are responsible for making such decisions.

“Do as you consider right, based on the interests of the Armenian people. You are now in power, and the responsibility for making decisions rests with you. Whatever decision you make, so it will be,” Putin said.

At the same time, he stressed that the issue primarily concerns economic matters.

“Whatever decision is made, it will not damage our humanitarian ties or our political relations, but in this case we are speaking purely about economic components. Everything must be calculated, carefully examined and only then should a decision be made,” he said.

Putin also recalled that the crisis in Ukraine had once begun against the backdrop of attempts to join the European Union.

“We were not against it, but we said: listen, for example, phytosanitary standards are completely different,” the Russian president noted.

He added that he had held an open and frank discussion on the matter with Armenia’s Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan.

“I told him that our conversation on this issue can only be frank, honest and completely open. Today, in practical terms, it is impossible to combine one with the other. Therefore, we will ultimately be forced to almost completely halt work related to economic integration processes with Armenia,” Putin said.

The Russian president cited energy prices as one of the advantages of membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

“In Europe, the price of gas is around 600 euros, while for Armenia it is around 150 euros. But this is not the only advantage,” he said.

According to Putin, investment issues must also be taken into account. He noted that European partners had promised to invest 2.5 billion euros in Armenia, but the timeframe and mechanisms for implementing those investments remain unclear.

“Even so, 2.5 billion is less than 4.9 billion, not to mention the indirect investments of Russian capital,” the Russian president said.

He also stated that if Armenia were outside the EAEU, the conditions for Armenian citizens working in Russia and accessing social services could change.

“That would mean that in order to work in Russia, it would be necessary to obtain a work permit, while access to the compulsory medical insurance system would require living in the country for at least five years. And there are many such requirements. This is a completely different situation. We simply need to speak about all of this clearly, openly and honestly,” Putin concluded.

Russia has carried out another shipment to Armenia via transit through Azerbaijan, the APA news agency reported.

A consignment consisting of four railcars carrying 280 tons of wheat and four railcars carrying 277 tons of fertilizer was dispatched today from Bilajari Station toward the Boyuk Kasik direction, according to APA.

To date, more than 28,000 tons of grain, over 4,000 tons of fertilizer, 133 tons of aluminum, and 68 tons of buckwheat have been transported from Russia to Armenia via transit through Azerbaijan.

In addition to transit shipments, petroleum products are exported from Azerbaijan to Armenia. So far, more than 10,000 tons of diesel fuel, 979 tons of AI-92 gasoline, and 2,955 tons of AI-95 gasoline have been exported from Azerbaijan to Armenia.

The shipments are carried out via Georgian territory, as the Armenia–Azerbaijan direct railway has not yet been restored.

A senior member of the Strong Armenia alliance led by Samvel Karapetyan has denied law enforcement agencies’ allegations of vote-buying ahead of the June 7 elections.

Gohar Meloyan, who is running for parliament on the Strong Armenia ticket as its third candidate, claimed that the frequently released audio recordings presented by law enforcement agencies as conversations between alliance associates discussing vote-buying schemes are fabricated.

The Anti-Corruption Committee has released multiple such recordings obtained during investigations.

Meloyan stated that their political force does not need to resort to vote-buying, as evidenced by the large turnout at the bloc’s rallies.

“We have appealed to international partners regarding the recordings. This is a disgraceful interference in our political force and clearly targets us. The Anti-Corruption Committee recordings are fabricated and intended to discredit the public perception of our political force,” Meloyan said at a press briefing.

Asked about details regarding the process of Strong Armenia alliance leader Samvel Karapetyan’s renunciation of Cypriot and Russian citizenship, she noted that the process is ongoing.

According to her, it is normal for a person of Samvel Karapetyan’s stature to hold citizenship in different countries.

“In many countries, such influential individuals are also granted citizenship, and renouncing it is a complex process,” she said.

Earlier this year, Strong Armenia named business magnate Samvel Karapetyan as its prime ministerial candidate in the upcoming general election, despite an apparent constitutional barrier.

Constitutional requirements for a prime minister in Armenia include having resided in the country for at least the previous four years and holding exclusively Armenian citizenship during that period. Karapetyan is reported to hold dual citizenship and has been based mostly abroad.

The party announced that if it wins the election, it would initiate legislative amendments, change the relevant law regarding the requirements, and elect Samvel Karapetyan.

His nephew Narek is the alliance’s lead candidate on the electoral list.

YEREVAN, 29 MAY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 29 May, USD exchange rate up by 0.13 drams to 368.18 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 0.37 drams to 428.71 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.0043 drams to 5.1754 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 0.64 drams to 494.02 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price down by 1118 drams to 52314 drams. Silver price down by 37.85 drams to 864.36 drams.

Artificial intelligence tools will become more accessible in Armenia after the country’s Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, leading AI company OpenAI and technology firm Firebird signed a memorandum of cooperation that will make OpenAI’s ChatGPT Edu platform available to Armenia’s educational, engineering and research communities.

At the initial stage of the partnership, Firebird and the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport will provide access to artificial intelligence technologies for 50,000 students, teachers and research groups across Armenia.

ChatGPT Edu is a version of ChatGPT designed specifically for educational institutions, enabling schools and universities to use advanced artificial intelligence tools, including Codex-like functionalities, while maintaining high standards of data protection, information security and governance. In the higher education sector, the platform will be available to both lecturers and students, while in general education it will be accessible to all teachers and high school students.

Education, Science, Culture and Sport Minister Zhanna Andreasyan said initiatives aimed at expanding the use of artificial intelligence and developing AI literacy within Armenia’s education system have steadily grown in recent years. She noted that several programmes are already being implemented in cooperation with partner organisations.

In particular, the “Generation AI” and “STEP.ai” educational programmes currently operating in schools are aimed at developing students’ fundamental knowledge of artificial intelligence, creative thinking and technological skills, while also promoting the safe, responsible and effective use of AI tools.

“Like many advanced countries around the world, Armenia sees its future in technological development built upon a strong and modern education system. We welcome this initiative aimed at expanding accessto artificial intelligence tools, which will create new opportunities for our universities, schools, lecturers, students, teachers and pupils.

“Technology has long been transforming education, and adapting to this reality is a necessity of our time. Creating AI-powered learning environments is one of the key directions in the development of Armenia’s education system. I am confident that the introduction ofthe ChatGPT Edu platform will contribute to the training of a new generation of professionals who will not only use technologies, but also participate in shaping their future development,” Andreasyan said.

The minister also noted that during the initial phase of the initiative, covering the 2026-2027 academic year, access to ChatGPT Edu will be financed by Firebird. Following an assessment of the programme’s effectiveness and its impact on educational outcomes, the possibility of state funding will be considered, with the aim of integrating the system into the national education framework as asustainable and scalable component.

Firebird co-founder Alexander Yesayan stressed that the future of technology is not something distant, but is being shaped today in schools, universities and research communities.

“We believe that investment in education is among the most important investments a country can make, especially in the era of artificial intelligence. Armenia possesses exceptional talent, and providing students, lecturers and researchers with access to the world’s most advanced AI tools will help shape a new generation of innovators.

“What makes this initiative special is the cooperation at its core.This is not only about technology; it is about Armenia’s future,”Yesayan said.

OpenAI’s Education for Countries initiative lead, Jayna Devani, who joined the meeting via video link, welcomed participants and said education is one of the most important areas through which artificial intelligence can expand opportunities.

“Through cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Science, Cultureand Sport of the Republic of Armenia and Firebird, we are helping make ChatGPT Edu available to the country’s students, educators and researchers, providing access to advanced AI tools that can be used safely, creatively and effectively.

“Armenia has strong human potential and a growing digital infrastructure, and this initiative can contribute to shaping the next generation of innovators equipped with AI literacy,” Devani said.

The parties stressed that the introduction of ChatGPT Edu is intended to significantly improve the quality of AI education. For educators,it will serve as a supporting digital tool enabling lesson planning,content development and the organisation of teaching through more modern, adaptive and innovative methods. It will also encourage personalised approaches to learning based on students’ abilities and educational needs.

For students and pupils, the platform will create new opportunities for information search, analysis, data application and research. The new platform is expected to help users navigate large volumes of digital information more effectively, develop critical thinking and improve independent learning skills by making the use of AI tools inthe educational process more systematic and purposeful.

At the same time, the parties emphasised that compliance with ethical standards and the responsible use of data will be essential to the initiative’s successful implementation. In this context, special attention will be paid to improving digital literacy, fostering aculture of proper AI use and ensuring digital safety within the educational environment.