Russia Claims Pro-Russian Political Forces in Armenia Are Facing Repression

MOSCOW — Russia continues to regard Armenia as a “brotherly country” and therefore cannot remain indifferent to political developments there, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said during a briefing.

Commenting on what she described as a new wave of pressure against opposition political forces and figures in Armenia, Zakharova said Russia does not interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign states, including Armenia or the activities of its law enforcement agencies.

“We continue to regard Armenia as a brotherly country, with a people with whom we are connected by special relations formed over centuries. Therefore, we cannot remain indifferent to the political processes taking place there, especially when they are, in one way or another, conducted under slogans connected with bilateral relations with our country,” Zakharova said.

She claimed that political forces and figures advocating the preservation and strengthening of Armenia’s allied relationship with Russia are facing growing “real repression,” which she said contradicts what she described as Armenian society’s desire for the steady development of bilateral relations.

Zakharova said the negative trend previously raised by Russian President Vladimir Putin during his April 1 meeting in Moscow with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was continuing. She argued that the June parliamentary elections demonstrated public support for developing bilateral ties and suggested that actions by Armenian law enforcement agencies were politically motivated.

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said Moscow expects political parties, groups, public figures and officials who advocate stronger Armenia-Russia cooperation to be able to participate freely in Armenia’s domestic political life.

Zakharova also criticized Armenia’s “new, so-called friends,” accusing European Union representatives of ignoring pressure against politicians and public figures who take a constructive approach toward Russia. She alleged that Western countries were willing to overlook developments in Armenia that further the EU’s objectives and serve its confrontation with Russia.