Rosselkhoznadzor (the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance) has imposed restrictions on the import of fish and seafood from Armenia, effective June 2. This was announced in a statement by the agency.

According to the statement, Armenia is required to suspend veterinary certification of live fish and fish products supplied to Russia from facilities that have failed inspection. An exception will be made for two companies that successfully passed the inspection. Products from these two facilities will be allowed into the Russian market subject to laboratory testing for compliance with safety standards.

These measures are being introduced amid ongoing political tensions between the countries. Russia has consistently expressed dissatisfaction with Armenia's rapprochement with the European Union. Commenting on relations with Armenia on May 29, President Vladimir Putin again reiterated the connection between the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine and Armenia's aspirations to join the EU. That same day, representatives of the Eurasian Economic Union (Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan) highlighted the potential risks to their countries should Armenia join the EU and called for a referendum.

As a reminder, Rosselkhoznadzor (the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance) has already restricted the import of flowers from Armenia since May 22, and a ban on cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, herbs, and strawberries has been in place since May 30. Rospotrebnadzor also previously banned the import of Armenian cognac, wine, and mineral water.

Amid these bans, Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday today, noting the friendly nature of their bilateral relations.

Parliamentary elections will be held in Armenia on June 7, and Moscow is openly supporting candidates and parties opposed to Pashinyan.