YEREVAN: Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Yerevan, where some 1,000 activists protested his visit and Armenia’s plans to join a Russian-led Customs union.
Putin met with Armenian counterpart Serzh Sarkisian and agreed that Russia would sell Armenia natural gas for $189 per 1,000 cubic meters, roughly half the price Russia charges countries in Europe.
Putin also agreed to cancel a 35 percent duty on Russian exports of petroleum products to Armenia.
Increases in Russian duties on petroleum products have caused large problems in some CIS countries that are not part of the Customs union, which besides Russia also includes Kazakhstan and Belarus. Armenian officials have agreed to join the Customs union and enjoy the accompanying trade benefits.
