The Russian Foreign Ministry has commented on a report by the newspaper *Hraparak* claiming that Moscow rejected the candidacy of Samvel Mkrtchyan, who was being considered for the post of Armenian ambassador to Russia, RBC reports.

“This report does not correspond to reality,” the Foreign Ministry stated, as quoted by the outlet.

Earlier, *Hraparak*, citing its own sources, wrote that Russia had refused to accept Mkrtchyan—who previously represented Armenia in Poland and was a potential replacement for the current ambassador, Gurgen Arsenyan. The newspaper suggested that this decision might be linked to the diplomat’s long-standing service in European countries.

Arsenyan took charge of the Armenian embassy in Moscow in August 2024, succeeding Vagharshak Harutyunyan. Prior to his diplomatic appointment, he represented the ruling Civil Contract party in the Armenian parliament.

In May 2026, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Arsenyan following remarks made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a European Political Community summit in Yerevan.

At the time, the Ukrainian president claimed that Russian authorities were concerned about the possibility of Ukrainian drones flying over Red Square during the May 9 Victory Day parade. Moscow accused Yerevan of providing a platform for Zelenskyy to voice threats against Russia and expressed dissatisfaction with the Armenian authorities' failure to officially condemn his statements.