The Russian Foreign Ministry has criticized the political course outlined by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, calling it “inconsistent” and “irresponsible.” In a statement issued on Monday, the ministry characterized Pashinyan’s recent Independence Day address as a mere attempt to deflect blame for his government’s mistakes by blaming Russia and cozying up to the West.
Pashinyan’s remarks, which questioned the goals and motives of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh, came in the wake of an escalation in the disputed region, with Azerbaijan forcefully taking control over it. The prime minister also accused unnamed allies of seeking to expose Armenia’s weakness and undermine its independence, while distancing his government from the escalating situation and denying any responsibility for it. He further expressed doubt over the ability of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Armenian-Russian strategic partnership to ensure Armenia’s national security.
The Russian ministry described Pashinyan’s statement as a direct and indirect attack on Russia, suggesting that the West and Yerevan together have been involved in a systemic effort to undermine Russia’s interests and destabilize the Eurasian region. It warned that Yerevan’s deliberate actions aim to distance Armenia from its historical ally, Russia, while exposing the country to strategic damage from the West.
The ministry emphasized that Russia has always fulfilled its obligations as an ally to Armenia, contributing actively to its security, economic growth, and cultural development. It reminded Pashinyan that Russia’s efforts and the leadership of President Vladimir Putin helped Armenia avoid total defeat in the 2020 conflict with Azerbaijan. Additionally, Russia brokered a ceasefire agreement that could have provided the foundation for a peaceful resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute.
However, instead of adhering to the Russian-brokered deal, Pashinyan turned to the West and recognized Azerbaijan’s sovereignty over the disputed region during talks in Prague and Brussels. The ministry stated that these actions have seriously compromised the agreement reached with Russia and the status of the Russian peacekeepers stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh.
The ministry argued that Armenia has wasted valuable time that could have been used to advance peace talks and address border delimitation and regional communication issues. These actions, it said, would have provided additional security guarantees for Armenia. The statement concluded by accusing the Armenian government of making a monumental mistake by deliberately undermining the strong and long-standing ties between Armenia and Russia, and by making the Armenian nation a hostage to the geopolitical games of the West.
In summary, the Russian Foreign Ministry has strongly criticized Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for his inconsistent and irresponsible political approach, accusing him of avoiding responsibility for his government’s mistakes and distancing Armenia from its traditional ally, Russia. The ministry emphasized Russia’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations to Armenia, while warning that Yerevan’s actions could have far-reaching consequences for the country’s security and stability.
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