Armenia's second president, Robert Kocharyan, is confident that Russia will not participate in the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project. Kocharyan stated about this at a press conference Thursday, commenting on the recent statements of Konstantin Zatulin, First Deputy Chairman of the Committee for CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots of the Russian State Duma, regarding Russia's participation in the TRIPP project.

Zatulin had stated that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was attempting to pull Russia into the TRIPP project in order to deflect criticism from himself and "direct the arrows against Moscow."

"Who said that Russia will participate in the TRIPP project? On the contrary, the United States will do everything to ensure that no country with good relations with Iran participates in that project. Personally, I have such an impression, and that is why I doubt the real goals of the project," Robert Kocharyan said.

The second president of Armenia admitted, however, that he would welcome the TRIPP project if either Russia or China joins it. According to him, this would alleviate Iran’s concerns about the project, but today such a thing is not happening.

“I do not see such an opportunity. I do not know why Konstantin Zatulin made that statement, but I personally have no information, and I do not see any reason to assume that Armenia is trying to involve Russia in this project in any way,” Robert Kocharyan added.