Armenian authorities are trying to shift responsibility to Moscow for a possible withdrawal of Russia’s military base from Gyumri, Russian Foreign Ministry official Mikhail Kalugin said.

Axar.az reports, citing Russian media, that Kalugin said Yerevan was seeking to present discussions about the future presence of Russian troops in Armenia as having been initiated by Russia.

"Attempts to shift responsibility for the possible withdrawal of the base onto Moscow reflect one characteristic feature of Armenia’s current political course. The ruling elite in Yerevan often expects external actors to make key decisions on its behalf,” Kalugin said.