YEREVAN, Armenia – The Russian Foreign Ministry is demanding explicit clarification from Armenia regarding its foreign policy course, particularly in light of Yerevan’s increasingly active rapprochement with the European Union. Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated during a weekly briefing that Moscow requires clear answers on Armenia’s future geopolitical trajectory, especially concerning how deeper cooperation with the EU will align with its existing obligations within international organizations.
Strategic Relations or Electoral Maneuvers?
Zakharova emphasized that Russian-Armenian relations are strategic in nature and should not be contingent on the internal political situation or pre-election campaigns in Armenia. This statement was made in response to declarations from Yerevan suggesting that Armenian-Russian cooperation might intensify after the upcoming parliamentary elections. Zakharova critically remarked, “Excuse me, what prevented that from being done before the elections or during the elections? You know, this is a story from a famous cartoon: ‘Why was I so evil? Because I didn’t have a bicycle, and now that I have a bicycle, I’ve suddenly become kind.’ It’s ridiculous.”
She underscored that Moscow has never based its policy towards Armenia, or any other country, on electoral cycles. However, she drew attention to the fact that Russia has recently observed a significant increase in Armenia’s efforts to strengthen ties with the European Union and Euro-Atlantic structures. As evidence, she cited statements by the Armenian leadership, signals of support from Brussels, and a series of political contacts between EU representatives and Armenian authorities.
The EU Summit and Unanswered Questions
Zakharova specifically highlighted the results of the Armenia-European Union summit held on May 5, noting that the declaration adopted thereafter contained provisions welcoming Yerevan’s European aspirations. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry’s official representative, such developments naturally raise questions for the Russian side, a segment of Armenian society, and Armenia’s partners in integration associations.
The central question, she asserted, is how Armenia intends to reconcile deepening cooperation with the European Union with its existing commitments within established international structures. Zakharova mentioned that Moscow has repeatedly raised this issue in bilateral contacts and in response to inquiries from media and business circles. She stated that the Russian side has sought clarity on Armenia’s future foreign policy and economic course but has yet to receive exhaustive explanations.
Criticism of Ambiguity and Lack of Clear Priorities
The Russian Foreign Ministry representative critically assessed Yerevan’s approach of simultaneously attempting to maintain its participation in existing integration mechanisms while deepening cooperation with Western structures, without clearly defining its own priorities. In her view, such a stance raises concerns for all stakeholders.
Zakharova particularly stressed that Russia does not intend to support processes that could contribute to Armenia’s further rapprochement with the European Union at the expense of the interests of existing integration blocs. She reminded that the European Union pursues an unfriendly policy towards Russia and provides comprehensive support to the Ukrainian authorities.
According to the diplomat, Moscow considers it natural to openly express its position on issues affecting Russia’s strategic interests and its allied relations.
The Need for Clarity and Dialogue
In conclusion, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry declared that the question of Armenia’s future foreign policy course requires clarification. She emphasized that the parliamentary elections themselves are not the cause of the ongoing discussions; the key is what course the republic’s leadership intends to pursue in the future. Moscow expects that all questions related to Armenia’s foreign policy priorities and its commitments within existing international associations will be clarified through open and substantive dialogue.
Source: https://golosarmenii.am/arm/%D4%B6%D5%A1%D5%AD%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%B8%D5%BE%D5%A1%E2%80%A4-%D5%84%D5%B8%D5%BD%D5%AF%D5%BE%D5%A1%D5%B5%D5%AB%D5%B6-%D5%B0%D5%BD%D5%BF%D5%A1%D5%AF-%D5%BA%D5%A1%D5%BF%D5%A1%D5%BD%D5%AD%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%B6/
