Moscow says Russian TV host's remarks on Armenia do not reflect official policy

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has sought to distance the Russian government from controversial remarks made by pro-Kremlin commentator, television presenter Vladimir Solovyov regarding Armenia and Central Asia.

Speaking at a briefing, Zakharova said the comments reflected the "personal opinion of a journalist" rather than an official position of the Russian state. She emphasised that the remarks were made on the private television channel "Solovyov LIVE" and not on a state platform, Caliber.Az reports. 

Zakharova stated that she had reviewed Solovyov’s words directly rather than relying on excerpts taken out of context. According to her, the remarks were framed as a question rather than a definitive statement, adding that it was unclear whether the question was rhetorical.

She further argued that commentators had "deliberately presented the remarks in a provocative manner," portraying them as if they reflected Russia’s official policy.

The controversy arose after Solovyov suggested that losing Armenia would not be in Russia’s interests and argued that Russia should consider conducting a “special military operation” not only in Ukraine but also in other territories within what he described as Russia’s sphere of influence, disregarding international law.

In response to the remarks, Armenia summoned Russian Ambassador to Yerevan Sergey Kopyrkin to the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he was formally handed a note of protest.

By Sabina Mammadli