Russian Foreign Ministry: Yerevan's words about friendship with Russia are at odds with its policies
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that the Armenian authorities' public statements about their desire to maintain and strengthen relations with Russia are not supported by the country's leadership's actions, which, she said, are aimed at rapprochement with the European Union.
"We hear assurances from Armenian representatives about Moscow's importance as a partner and Yerevan's intention to develop bilateral ties. However, unfortunately, we do not see these words matched by the actions and steps of the Armenian leadership, which has clearly set its course for EU accession," Zakharova emphasized.
She added that Armenia clearly has no intention of slowing down the pace of implementing European standards.
"Serious initiatives involving our participation are being delayed or frozen. Meanwhile, we have been told like a mantra: 'We'll return to them after the elections,'" the diplomat complained.
She also pointed to Yerevan's signing of memoranda and "framework agreements" with Western countries, including in areas where Russia has traditionally been a reliable partner.
"Even before voting day in the parliamentary elections, numerous declarations of strategic partnership with Western countries were signed. Among them were those states that desire Russia's defeat and are imposing further sanctions against it," Zakharova stated.
Russia, she said, believes that Armenia's renewed active role in the CSTO would be in the republic's own interests. She stated that the EAEU and Moscow expect Yerevan to choose between the Eurasian Union and the EU.
