Russia warns Armenia of export fallout if ties are cut UPDATED

Russia has not imposed restrictions on exports from Armenia, but this is the reality the country will face if it severs its ties with Russia, Deputy Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Information and Press Department, Alexey Fadeev, said.

During the briefing, Fadeev added that Armenia's leadership had itself acknowledged quality issues affecting certain categories of exported goods, Caliber.Az reports per Russian state media.

“It should be understood that these are not our restrictions. This is the reality awaiting the republic if it severs its traditional ties.

We have repeatedly urged the Armenian leadership to speak honestly about all the advantages and disadvantages of such a reorientation toward the European Union. Unfortunately, that has not been done and is still not being done,” he noted.

16:52

Russia sees attempts by Armenia's leadership to raise the stakes and resort to blackmail in its relations with Moscow, Deputy Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Information and Press Department, Alexey Fadeev, said during a briefing.

“In the context of Russian-Armenian relations, instead of constructive dialogue, we are witnessing attempts by Yerevan to raise the stakes or simply resort to blackmail,” the diplomat stressed.

Fadeev also accused the Armenian leadership of "flirting" with Kyiv, arguing that such actions cast doubt on Yerevan's commitment to its alliance with Moscow.

“In one way or another, this course of action, which certainly includes demonstrative 'flirting' with Kyiv, raises serious doubts about the willingness of Armenia's ruling circles to engage in genuine allied cooperation with Russia,” he noted.

In May, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in the European Political Community summit in Yerevan, where he was warmly received by the Armenian side.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova previously said that Armenia's leadership had failed to honour assurances given to Moscow that it would take no steps against Russia.

She criticised Yerevan for not responding to what she described as Zelenskyy's threats, made from the Armenian capital, to strike Moscow on May 9. Zakharova argued that Armenia's reaction to Zelenskyy's remarks, delivered from a country that had regularly received Russian support, would not be forgotten.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan later said he saw no issue with inviting Zelenskyy to Yerevan, adding that he does not consider Armenia to be Russia's ally regarding the war in Ukraine.

By Jeyhun Aghazada