Caucasus (bbabo.net), - The Russian Foreign Ministry considered absurd the statements of representatives of the Armenian leadership that the Russian military presence in the republic is a threat to it. The official representative of the Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, commented today, January 12, on the recent statements of the Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
The Russian military makes a significant contribution to the security of Armenia, the diplomat recalled during a weekly briefing for journalists.
“Against this background, statements in Yerevan that the Russian presence poses some threats to the security of Armenia are absurd. For decades, our military and border guards have been making a significant contribution to ensuring the security of Armenia, guarding its borders. This is an objective reality that cannot be denied, ”Zakharova emphasized.
Military cooperation with Russia is in line with the national interests of Armenia, and the leadership of the Transcaucasian republic previously positively assessed the Russian military presence in the region, she recalled.
The Armenian and Russian peoples are bound by strong ties of centuries-old friendship. Both countries are closely cooperating in a bilateral format and on such platforms as the CSTO, the EAEU, the CIS, the representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry added.
Nikol Pashinyan, speaking at a press conference in Yerevan on January 10, indicated that a conversation is being held with Russia about the role and significance of its military presence on Armenian territory. At the same time, one could understand from the prime minister's words that he considers the threat to Armenia not the military presence of the Russian Federation in the republic, but Moscow's "silence" regarding Azerbaijan's aggressive actions in the region.
“The Armenian side draws the attention of the Russian colleagues to this circumstance, stating that in the conditions of Russia’s silence, a curious situation arises - Russia’s military presence in Armenia not only does not guarantee the security of the latter, but, on the contrary, creates threats for the republic,” the head of government said.
Armenia, as a like-minded and strategic partner of Russia, expects a clear position from Moscow, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic Ararat Mirzoyan during a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on October 12 last year.
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