Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s statements on holding a referendum on Armenia’s EU membership indicate that he has “not very much trust” in the Armenian people.

Axar.az reports, citing Russian media, that Lavrov made the remarks in an interview with RBC.

Lavrov recalled that Pashinyan recently said a referendum could be discussed only after Armenia submits an EU membership application, receives a response and prepares a “road map” for accession.

“In my opinion, this does not demonstrate very much trust in Armenian voters or the Armenian people,” he said.

He argued that Armenians should be given a clear choice between their current economic situation and EU integration, noting that Armenia’s trade turnover with the Eurasian Economic Union had exceeded $6 billion over the past three years and reached $12 billion in one year.

“Armenia has, in general, developed thanks to the EAEU,” Lavrov added.