I regret that the Armenian Genocide is not mentioned in at least one sentence when talking about the friendship of the Armenian and Russian peoples. Colleagues talking about friendship do not write anything about the Armenian Genocide. Okay, I'm bad. And where did the age-old friendship go? Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia, Alen Simonyan, stated this, speaking with reporters on Thursday, but without explaining the essence of the rebuke he made to Moscow in this regard.

To note, Russia was one of the first countries to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide.

As for the letter sent to him by Valentina Matviyenko, Chairperson of the Federation Council of Russia, Simonyan assured that he has not received the letter yet.

"When the letter arrives, we will know what is written there. The title of the [Spain] Conference [of Speakers of the European Union Parliaments] included the words ‘illegal invasion of Russia...’ I deliberately left out the word ‘illegal’ so as not to play with their feelings. But there was nothing in my speech that did not comply with international law, did not comply with their statements and signed agreements. What is [it?] Armenia's position is that Armenia does not recognize the territorial integrity of Moldova, Georgia, Ukraine, Cyprus? Did I say something new? Even Belarus has not recognized the territories that Russia calls its new territories. Turkey has not recognized either. But why. ... The president of Turkey talks about it and specially emphasizes that he does not recognize Crimea either. I want to know: is the force only upon us? No. The problem is that they do not understand that Armenia should act as an independent state. They do not think that Armenia is an independent state.

According to their perception, we [Armenia] have remained an outlying province. What are your demands? Have we ever questioned the territorial integrity of Ukraine? They themselves say that we have entered the territory of Ukraine and are carrying out a special operation. We recognize Russia's territorial integrity also," added the speaker of the Armenian parliament.

According to him, it is perhaps unexpected for the Russian side that there is an elected government in Armenia.

"But I am the elected president of the parliament," added Simonyan.