MP: Armenia's another ally now - France

Member of the Armenian parliament from the ruling Civil Contract party and member of the standing committee on defence and security, Lieutenant General Gagik Melkonian has said that if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy makes a decision, Armenian officials must receive him.

“If Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy makes a decision, we must accept it. Therefore, we are not interested in Russia’s possible reaction; this is Russia’s own business. We are guided by Armenia’s interests and will act in accordance with its interests,” Melkonian said in an interview with the Armenian media, Caliber.Az reports.

“As for Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko’s statements, he made a lot of statements. What will Armenia do? This was Lukashenko’s main thought. Don't forget his words. Now our people live like serfs, while we don’t want to live like serfs. We want to become an independent country. We want to meet with everybody we want, sign military-technical contracts, etc. with everybody we want,” he noted.

“Armenia was not independent, we were dependent on Russia. Russia dictated to Armenia whom to meet and establish relations. Russia made decisions on the appointment of ministers and presidents in Armenia. Armenian former defence minister Arshak Karapetyan was appointed upon Russia’s instructions. Now we have an alternative ally - France. France is ready to help us and supply weapons. Armenia has friendly relations with France,” he added.