Moscow demands Armenia to prove its readiness to improve relations
The Russian authorities are waiting for Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to provide “facts and evidence” regarding the desire to improve relations between the countries. This explains the postponement of the visit of the Russian Federation Council Chairwoman Valentina Matviyenko to Yerevan from February to June. This information was shared by the Armenian newspaper Hraparak, citing sources in Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract party.
 
“The Armenian authorities have been demanded to cancel the draft European referendum on the country’s accession to the EU. This is related to the postponement of the second reading on this issue in parliament, and it is possible that it will be cancelled altogether,” the publication writes.
 
Today, CSTO Secretary General Imangali Tasmagambetov noted that the organization maintains working contacts with Yerevan and its obligations remain.
 
“As for the signals of readiness to resume cooperation with the CSTO, the format of relations has not changed and remains the same,” he added.
 
On February 23, 2024, Pashinyan announced the freezing of Armenia's participation in the CSTO. On May 8, the Armenian Foreign Ministry reported that the country would not participate in the financing of the bloc. In early 2025, a report by the Foreign Intelligence Service of Armenia noted that the country does not intend to unfreeze its membership in the organization.
Последние новости
«Репортёры без границ» осудили насильственную доставку главреда «Новой газеты» в Следственный комитет
Human rights
«Репортёры без границ» осудили насильственную доставку главреда «Новой газеты» в Следственный комитет
17 October 2026

Сергея Соколова доставили в Следственный комитет и около трёх часов не отпускали из здания, хотя официально вызвали на допрос в качестве свидетеля. RSF назвала произошедшее новым этапом давления на одно из последних независимых СМИ в России.
Shchukin: Over 3 Billion Rubles Paid to Flood Victims in Dagestan
Society
Shchukin: Over 3 Billion Rubles Paid to Flood Victims in Dagestan
16 October 2026

More than 3 billion rubles have been paid out to residents of Dagestan affected by spring floods. Fyodor Shchukin announced this on October 15 while speaking at a session of the republic’s People’s Assembly. On the same day, deputies elected him as the head of the region, following which he took the oath of office and assumed his duties.
Court upholds sentences for four Crimean Tatars in ‘Hizb ut-Tahrir’ case
Human rights
Court upholds sentences for four Crimean Tatars in ‘Hizb ut-Tahrir’ case
16 October 2026

A Russian military appellate court has rejected the appeals of four Crimean Tatars—Nariman Ametov, Ali Mamutov, Vokhid Mustafayev, and Enver Khalilyayev—who were convicted of involvement with the organization ‘Hizb ut-Tahrir.’ The sentences handed down by the Southern District Military Court on May 21, 2026, remain unchanged. According to the TASS news agency, citing court sources, the individuals—part of what is known as the "third Dzhankoy group"—were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 14 to 15 years.
Six more individuals involved in the case concerning the storming of the presidential residence have been released in Georgia
Human rights
Six more individuals involved in the case concerning the storming of the presidential residence have been released in Georgia
16 October 2026

Six people convicted in connection with the events of October 4, 2025, in Tbilisi have been set free following the conclusion of plea agreements with the prosecutor's office. This was reported on October 16 by the television channel TV Pirveli.