Russia Claims Armenia Divided Over Ties with the West

Moscow (ANTARA) - The Armenian people are divided in opinion and do not unanimously support the government’s policy to strengthen relations with the West, said Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakvareva, in an interview with RIA Novosti.

“Recent elections show that there is no clear support within Armenian society for a rushed approach to the West, which, as many examples have shown, must be paid for with one’s own interests and identity,” said Zakharova.

Conversely, citizens have shown that there is a stable public demand to develop relations with Russia, as well as to promote membership in Eurasian institutions deemed beneficial to Yerevan, she added.

“However, the response to this opinion (regarding the need to develop relations with Russia) is systematically increasing within the political forces that support such foreign policy,” said Zakharova.

“Those who are not ashamed and not afraid to call Russia a strategic ally are being promised they will be ‘removed’ from the political map. They, as they say, are ‘Kremlin agents’ and have been ‘sent’ to prevent the strengthening of the republic’s independence,” she added.

Furthermore, she also condemned Armenian leaders for attempting to instil the idea among the Armenian public that Russia is allegedly punishing Yerevan for “non-compliance,” rejecting such allegations as mere “propaganda manipulation.”

Previously, in the spring of 2025, the Armenian parliament passed legislation declaring the South Caucasus nation’s intention to join the European Union, although the bloc has not yet offered membership.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that Yerevan is aware of the incompatibility of simultaneous membership in the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union, and will continue to align its policies with both blocs for as long as possible.