Moscow accuses Armenia of enabling “Russophobic” statements by Zelenskyy

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova sharply criticised Armenia’s decision to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, questioning Yerevan’s political stance and accusing it of enabling anti-Russian rhetoric.

In remarks cited by TASS, Zakharova said Russian society had reacted with “outrage” to Armenia providing a platform for Zelenskyy, adding that the episode would not be forgotten. She described Armenia—which Russia traditionally considers a “brotherly and friendly country”—as having extended a warm reception to a leader whom Moscow characterises as the “head of the neo-Nazi Kyiv regime.”

According to Zakharova, Zelenskyy took advantage of what she called Armenia’s “incomprehensible courtesy” to once again draw attention to himself and repeat what she described as long-familiar Russophobic statements.

She further criticised Armenian authorities for not responding to what she said were threats by Zelenskyy to launch a drone strike on Moscow during Victory Day commemorations on May 9.

“He was issuing threats to strike Moscow during the annual parade on the sacred day of May 9 for our people. He promised to strike Moscow, where veterans of the Great Patriotic War would be present, who throughout their lives never divided anyone by nationality; there were citizens of our country, citizens of other countries, including Armenia, ethnic Armenians, and veterans. The very Moscow where, by the Kremlin wall, lies buried Marshal of the Soviet Union Ivan Khristoforovich Bagramyan, revered both in Armenia and in our country, one of the military leaders who forged the Great Victory. And no one from the current leadership of Armenia pulled Zelenskyy up,” Zakharova said.

“So, which historical side are you on? Whom do you support in the historical context?” she added.

Zakharova also argued that Zelenskyy’s visit to Yerevan illustrated to Armenians what she described as the future envisioned for them by the European Union.

“It was precisely Zelenskyy’s visit to Yerevan that showed the citizens of Armenia the future that the European Union has in store for them,” she said.

The Russian diplomat further noted that Zelenskyy used his visit to speak about new anti-Russian sanctions, questioning the appropriateness of such remarks in Armenia.

“To whom was he saying this? To the citizens of Armenia, who cooperate, do business, and create companies with citizens of Russia, with our companies,” Zakharova stated.

By Tamilla Hasanova