Any official statement by foreign states regarding Armenia’s internal elections should be viewed as a form of political pressure, which is unacceptable for a sovereign country. Strong Armenia party leader and prime ministerial candidate, businessman and philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan told this to ArmLur on Tuesday outside the Anti-Corruption Court in Yerevan.

Commenting—at the request of reporters—on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent statements on the need for Armenia to choose between the Eurasian Economic Union and the European Union, Karapetyan said that Armenia’s interests should not become hostages in external geopolitical games.

He responded with sarcasm to the rumors that he allegedly coordinates his actions with the Kremlin, or “incites” Moscow to make harsh assessments of Yerevan. “Yes, I called Putin from the prison cell and said, ‘Be sure to watch what you do to Armenia,’” Karapetyan sarcastically remarked, answering a question about his influence on the Russian leader’s rhetoric.

At the same time, he expressed a clear position on foreign interference in Armenia’s affairs: “I consider any statement not only from Russia, but from all countries, to be pressure, and I consider it not right for Armenia.”

Speaking with reporters, Samvel Karapetyan touched also upon his decision to renounce his Russian and Cypriot citizenship, noting that the respective process has already begun and his lawyers are working on it. Karapetyan added that he is ready to sign all the necessary documents as soon as the law requires it.

Recapping the topic of pressure and the legitimacy of power, Karapetyan emphasized that the person should be at the center of politics, not the attempts of the authorities to maintain their power, which they carry out by carrying out external instructions or creating chaos within Armenia.