[Translation from Russian to English ] The Russian President's visit began with Gyumri, the second-largest city in A...

Original text

Визит российского президента начался со второго по величине города Армении Гюмри, где два лидера вспомнили служившего в этом месте автора марша "Прощание славянки".
"Написал он его под впечатлением боевых действий на Балканах. А что касается Закавказья, то Россия отсюда никогда уходить не собиралась", - заявил Путин.
По его словам, Россия, наоборот, собирается укреплять свои позиции в Закавказье, опираясь "на все лучшее, что досталось нам от наших предков".
Кроме того, в Гюмри Путин прокомментировал ситуацию на Украине, заявив, что то, что происходит в стране, - "не революция, а погромы, они мало связаны с отношениями ЕС и Украины".

Translation / English

The Russian President's visit began with Gyumri, the second-largest city in Armenia, where the two leaders reminisced about the composer of the march "A Slavic Farewell", who had served there.
"He wrote it after having been moved by the war efforts in the Balkans. As for South Caucasus, Russia was never going to leave it," stated Putin.

In his words, Russia is, on the contrary, planning to strengthen its position in South Caucasus, taking advantage of "all the best things that we received from our ancestors".
Putin also commented on the situation in Ukraine, announcing that what is occuring in the country is "not a revolution, but rioting, which has little connection to EU-Ukraine relations".

Translation / English

Visit of Russian president commenced in the second largest Armenian city Gyumri, where both leaders were reminded of the author of famous march "Proshanie Slavyanki", who has been stationed there.
"He wrote it, inspired by the military action in Balkans. And as for Caucasus, Russia has never planned to move out." - commented Putin.
In his words, Russia on the contrary is going to strengthen its position on the Caucasus, basing it on the fact that "it's the heritage given to us by our forefathers".
Besides, in Gyumri Putin made a comment about the situation in Ukraine stating that what is happening in that country is "not a revolution, but a massacre, which is not connected with the relationship between EU and Ukraine".

Original text

"Это все заготовки к президентским выборам, подготовленные извне", - подчеркнул он.
Следующим пунктом визита президента в Армению станет Ереван, где главы государств обсудят присоединение Армении к Таможенному союзу.
Игра с "нулевой суммой"?
В сентябре Ереван заявил о намерении присоединиться к ТС, укрепив беспокойство Запада по поводу того, что Россия усиливает контроль над бывшими советскими республиками.
При этом Армения передумала подписывать соглашение об ассоциации с ЕС в ноябре 2013 после переговоров, продлившихся более двух лет.
В Евросоюзе выразили разочарование решением Еревана, однако добавили, что соглашение "не является игрой с нулевой суммой", то есть не требует простого выбора между Россией и ЕС.

Translation / English

"All this is the preparation for the presidential elections, organised from outside", - he emphasized.
The next stop during Armenian visit will be Yerevan, where the heads of states will discuss the joining of Armenia to the Customs Union.
Is it a "zero-sum" game?
In September, Yerevan announced its intention to join the CU, solidifying Western concerns that Russia is strengthening its control over the former Soviet republics.
Additionally, Armenia changed its mind about signing the agreement about its association with EU in November 2013 after the two year long negotiations.
European Union has expressed its disappointment about Yerevan's decision, but added however, that the agreement "does not represent the zero-sum game", i.e. it doesn't require a simple choice between the Russia and the EU.

Translation / English

"It's all blank for the presidential election , prepared from the outside" - he stressed .
The next item on the President 's visit to Armenia will become Yerevan, where the heads of state will discuss Armenia's joining the Customs Union.
Playing with the " zero-sum "?
In September, Yerevan announced his intention to join the TC , reinforcing concern in the West about the fact that Russia tightens control over the former Soviet republics.
While Armenia decided against signing an association agreement with the EU in November 2013 after negotiations that lasted more than two years .
The European Union has expressed disappointment with the decision of Yerevan, but added that the agreement "is not a zero-sum game " , ie does not require a simple choice between Russia and the EU.