U.S. Criticizes Armenian Vote On Crimea

The United States criticized Armenia on Wednesday for voting against a UN General Assembly resolution that condemned as illegal a Moscow-backed referendum that led to Russia’s annexation of Crimea.

“The United States is disappointed by Armenia’s vote against the UN General Assembly resolution that condemned Crimea’s annexation by Russia,” the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan said in written comments to RFE/RL’s Armenian service (Azatutyun.am).

“The United States strongly supported the UN General Assembly vote and Washington has been very clear on our position on this issue. We stand with Ukraine at every step in this process,” added the embassy.

Asked whether Yerevan’s stance damaged U.S.-Armenian relations, the U.S. mission said, “We continue to engage with Armenia on many issues.”

Armenia was one of only 11 countries, including Russia, North Korea and Syria, that voted against the March 27 resolution drafted by Ukraine and backed by 99 other nations. The Armenian ambassador to the United Nations, Karen Nazarian, attributed the move to his country’s support of the principle of peoples’ self-determination.