Russian MP demands Armenia crack down on anti-Putin provocation in Yerevan

A senior Russian lawmaker has called on the Armenian government to take decisive action after a provocative banner insulting Russian President Vladimir Putin was displayed in Yerevan.

Alexey Chepa, First Deputy Chairman of the Russian State Duma’s Committee on International Affairs, said those behind the act must face the “harshest” punishment.

In an interview with NEWS.ru on May 20, Chepa condemned the incident, stating that the individuals responsible were acting for money and not in Armenia’s national interest.

“There are always provocateurs. And I would like to appeal to the Armenian authorities to stop these provocateurs in the harshest way possible—those who are trying to inflame the situation, who are acting not in the interests of their own country, but for money. These provocateurs must be punished in the harshest way. If they do not act, such provocations will be repeated in the country and will lead to internal unrest,” Chepa warned.

The banner, which contained offensive language directed at President Putin, was displayed by a group of Armenian activists in two prominent locations in Yerevan: on Kyiv Bridge and near the Russian Embassy. A photograph of the banner was posted on Facebook by Arman Babajanyan, leader of the pro-European “For the Republic” party.

The provocative action took place just ahead of the official visit of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to Armenia, further heightening tensions.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, Lavrov is scheduled to arrive in Yerevan on May 20 for a two-day working visit. During his trip, Lavrov will hold talks with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

In addition to high-level diplomatic meetings, Lavrov will deliver a speech at the Russian-Armenian University to an audience comprising faculty, students from Russian university branches operating in Armenia, and members of the local expert community. He will also meet with compatriots at the Russian House in Yerevan.

As part of the commemorative portion of his visit, Lavrov will lay flowers at the Eternal Flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and place a wreath at the Armenian genocide memorial.

By Tamilla Hasanova