Russia Claims Armenia Divided Over Ties with the West

Moscow (ANTARA) - Armenian society is split in opinion and does not unanimously support the government’s policy of strengthening ties with the West, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in an interview with RIA Novosti. “Recent elections have shown that there is no clear support within Armenian society for a rushed approach towards the West, which, as many examples have shown, must be paid for with one’s own interests and identity,” Zakharova said. On the contrary, citizens have demonstrated that there is a stable public demand to develop relations with Russia, as well as to promote membership in Eurasian institutions considered beneficial for Yerevan, she added. “However, the response to this opinion (about the need to develop relations with Russia) is systematically escalating within the political forces that support such a foreign policy,” Zakharova said. “Those who are not ashamed and not afraid to call Russia a strategic ally are promised to be ‘eliminated’ from the political map. They are, as they say, ‘Kremlin agents’ and ‘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 “disobedience,” and dismissed the accusation as mere “propaganda manipulation.” Earlier, in the spring of 2025, the Armenian parliament passed a law declaring the South Caucasus nation’s intention to join the European Union, even though the bloc has not yet offered membership. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said 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.