Zakharova: Armenia`s statements  about maintaining friendly relations with Russia contradict its actual steps

ArmInfo. Armenia's statements about its desire to maintain friendly relations with Russia diverge from the actual steps taken by official Yerevan, as stated by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova on May 28, while addressing the current state of Armenian-Russian relations.

The Russian diplomat reminded that Russia, as before, considers Armenia its natural ally in the South Caucasus and the Armenian people a brotherly nation. She added that Moscow has consistently come to the aid of the friendly Armenian people during difficult times, backing her words with specific examples of such assistance from both the Soviet era and modern history.

"We hear assurances from Armenian officials about Yerevan's intention to maintain relations with Russia,  and claims that they will not allow the republic  to be used against our country. However, we are accustomed to judging not only by words alone, but deeds. And for some reason, those deeds are increasingly diverging from the aforementioned words," she stated.

At the same time, Zakharova emphasized that Russia has never opposed Armenia diversifying its foreign ties. However, according to her, the current course of the Armenian authorities can hardly be described as such. She expressed conviction that it cannot be called balanced toward the Russian Federation either.

To illustrate her point, Zakharova drew attention to the fact that the Armenian authorities are stalling and freezing serious proposals from the Russian side while simultaneously conducting systematic work to implement alleged European standards and signing various memorandums and framework plans with Western capitals.

"That would be one thing, but these Western capitals have declared a full-scale hybrid war against Russia, publicly framing it—in their own words—as inflicting a 'strategic defeat' on our country. So, with whom is Yerevan concluding these rather strategic agreements regarding plans and intentions? With those who wish harm upon our shared Eurasian space? Furthermore, they are specifically beginning to engage with the countries of the European Union and Western Europe in sectors where Moscow has traditionally been a reliable partner, yielding colossal benefits for Armenia itself," the Russian diplomat said, reiterating that Moscow's engagement has brought no harm to the Armenian side, only benefits. She noted that Moscow sees how attempts are being made to replace it in these domains, despite a lack of real success resulting from these actions.

Zakharova stressed that Moscow is observing a succession of declarations regarding Armenia's strategic partnership with EU members—specifically with countries that make no secret of their goal to inflict a strategic defeat on the Russian Federation, and those at the vanguard of European Russophobia. As an example, she pointed to Armenia's cooperation with Lithuania.

 "The reassuring statements from the Armenian authorities regarding Russian-Armenian relations contrast sharply and conflict with what we see during their intense election campaigning. We also note the demonstrative indulgence by Nikol Vovayevich Pashinyan's team toward the West's targeted campaign aimed at fueling anti-Russian sentiments," she added.

The Russian diplomat emphasized that this occurs literally every day. As an example, she cited claims and leaked narratives alleging that Russia is interfering in Armenia's internal affairs and subjecting it to hybrid attacks. Zakharova concluded by stating that all of this is accompanied by a degree of spy mania and tales about FSB and KGB agents.