Armenia threatened Russia with a fee for using the railway.

The Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, allowed the possibility of going to court regarding the operation of the South Caucasian Railway, which is under concession to RZD, and stated that Armenia may demand an annual fee from Russia.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", the new railway, which will be built in southern Armenia as part of the TRIPP project ("Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity"), will not be taken on the balance of the South Caucasian Railway. At the same time, the issue of Russia's participation in the project may be discussed with the consent of the parties, said a deputy from the "Civil Contract" faction, head of the parliamentary commission on foreign relations, Sarkis Handanyan. "The existing railway tracks in the country are on the balance of the South Caucasian Railway. 43 kilometers of railway within the framework of the 'Trump Route' will belong to the TRIPP company," said the head of the parliamentary commission on December 16, 2025.

Armenia may impose a fee for the South Caucasian Railway on Russia

The Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, stated that he allows the possibility of going to court regarding the operation of the South Caucasian Railway, which is under concession to RZD.

It may turn out that for what was free in Armenia for 30 years, Armenia will start demanding two billion dollars.

"Railways are our property, and the Republic of Armenia must have the ability to use the railways as it sees fit. There is no alternative to this. This issue can be resolved. A lot is being said now, mainly by the opposition, about the possibility of rising prices for this or that. But it may turn out that for what was free in Armenia for 30 years, Armenia will start demanding two billion dollars," Yerevan Today quotes him as saying.

The Prime Minister noted that Yerevan wants to resolve this issue amicably but also allowed for its resolution in a legal context.

"We want to resolve the issue amicably. In any case, it will be resolved. If disagreements arise — we will discuss them in arbitration later," Nikol Pashinyan told reporters.

In February, Pashinyan stated that Yerevan offers the Russian side to sell its concession on the republic's railways to a state friendly to both Moscow and Yerevan. Among possible options, Pashinyan mentioned Kazakhstan, the UAE, and Qatar. In April, the Armenian Prime Minister stated that he would not discuss the transfer of the concession behind Russia's back, TASS reports.

In February 2008, the railway infrastructure of Armenia was transferred to the concession management of the South Caucasian Railway for 30 years with the right to extend for another ten.