Russia accuses West of sowing discord in Armenia

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has said that statements made by French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné in Yerevan regarding Russia are not only inept and foolish but also demonstrate a lack of respect towards Armenia.

Séjourné had earlier accused Russia of trying to pressure Armenia while also promising to strengthen military-technical ties with Yerevan,Caliber.Az reports citing the Russian media.

Reacting to this, Zakharova said, "It is surprising that our allies, our friends, brothers, partners, neighbours – I mean the political leadership, officials, and representatives of the public in Armenia – have not reacted to this."

She went on to note that these remarks were made on Armenian soil. Zakharova added that if anyone had made such statements about Russia’s allies—particularly a nation that has consistently supported a friendly country, even at the cost of its own lives—Moscow would have found a way to respond.

"What is there to comment on? Absolutely incompetent in diplomacy, someone who has once again displayed their incompetence, ignorance of history and traditions," Zakharova remarked.

She also accused Western countries of having a destructive agenda for the region, aiming only to stir conflicts among neighbouring states. According to Zakharova, the West is not interested in development or conflict resolution and is unwilling to make sacrifices for peace. Instead, it only seeks to provoke, humiliate, and insult.

In a separate briefing on the sidelines of the fourth Eurasian Women’s Forum, Zakharova addressed the escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula, expressing Moscow’s hope that Washington and Seoul would recognise the dangers of heightened military activities there.

"The implementation of revanchist plans to change the status quo on the peninsula is provoking an uncontrollable escalation of military tension. And we hope that the US and South Korea realise the risks of further fuelling military hysteria, and their attempts to settle scores with North Korea, which possesses the same sovereignty as all UN member states, having the lawful right to self-defence," Zakharova stated.

She further noted that the US and South Korea continue to ramp up military activities near the Korean Peninsula, conducting exercises close to the demilitarised zone and in the Yellow Sea. 

"Washington and Seoul are building a trilateral military cooperation with the participation of Tokyo, promoting joint plans for the regular conduct of trilateral inter-service drills. At the same time, under the auspices of South Korea, efforts are being made to revive the rudimentary, purely nominal structure known as the so-called UN Command, which is controlled not by the UN but by the Pentagon," Zakharova concluded.