Diplomatic shifts in Armenia as Benon Sevan passes away

Benon Sevan, a prominent diplomat and former Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, has passed away. Sevan was the highest-ranking Armenian to hold a senior position within the UN, having joined the organization in 1965. Throughout his career, he served in various capacities, including roles related to the situation in Afghanistan and the Iran-Iraq conflict. He was also a dedicated leader and protector of Armenian cultural heritage through his work with the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU).

In separate diplomatic developments, Mikhail Kalugin, a director at the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated that Armenia's efforts to diversify its foreign policy could lead to the loss of preferential economic benefits provided by Moscow. Kalugin noted that Armenia currently receives up to 85 percent of its gas from Russia at a fixed price of 177.5 USD per thousand cubic meters, exempt from export duties. He also suggested that Yerevan is attempting to shift responsibility for the potential withdrawal of the Russian military base in Shirak onto Moscow.