Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) spokesperson Maria Zakharova has denied accusations of pursuing a “whip policy” towards Armenia and recalled decades of Russian assistance to the country.

During a press briefing Thursday, Zakharova addressed allegations that Russia’s restrictions on the import of certain Armenian products are allegedly a punishment for Yerevan for its rapprochement with the West.

The question was raised by a Reuters news agency reporter, noting that a number of Western politicians and analysts, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, link the Russian side’s aforesaid actions to the pro-Western course of the Armenian authorities. In addition, the journalist recalled the recent statement made by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, when the latter had said during a meeting with voters that instead of speaking kind words to the Armenian people, the country's partners are making threats.

In this context, the Reuters correspondent asked whether it was fair to claim that Russia was pursuing a "whip" policy towards Armenia, and whether a "donut" policy would not be more effective in keeping Armenia in the Russian sphere of influence and in the Eurasian integration processes.

Zakharova began her response with a sarcastic remark, thanking the journalist for using the word "allegedly."

"I am really grateful to you that you nevertheless took the trouble and used the word ‘allegedly,’ because otherwise my answer would have been a little different," the Russian MFA spokesperson said.

According to her, the question of “punishing” Armenia itself raises doubts and ignores the long-standing history of relations between the two states.

“When there were no restrictions on goods imported from Armenia, what was Moscow’s policy called? If in this case they are talking about alleged punishment, then what was it then? Encouragement?” the Russian MFA spokesperson noted.

She stated that in relations between states there are both periods of active cooperation and problems that arise from time to time, which should be resolved through dialogue.

“In our opinion, there is a development of bilateral relations, and there are problems that arise in these relations and which can be resolved through political and diplomatic contacts, as well as the sincere and trusting dialogue that we have always had with Armenia,” Zakharova stated.

She paid special attention to the widespread judgments about the “whip and the donut.” In her view, those who accuse Russia of using pressure methods prefer not to notice the large-scale sanctions campaigns that Western countries are conducting against Moscow.

At the same time, Zakharova emphasized that Russia has consistently opposed unilateral restrictive measures and has adhered to this position since before it became a target of sanctions.

“The use of illegal sanctions, bypassing regulatory structures, is not only not our method, but we are categorically against such a policy towards any state,” she concluded.

According to the MFA spokesperson, Russian has been building relations with Armenia for decades not through pressure, but through support and cooperation. She recalled the preferential supplies of energy resources, the development of trade and economic ties, humanitarian cooperation, as well as the opportunity for Armenian citizens to live and work in Russia.

“When we provided assistance to Armenia in all directions—in the fields of energy, culture, humanitarian ties, finance, trade—what was that called? Why don’t analysts talk about the fact that Russia has fed them too many ‘donuts,’” Zakharova stated.

Developing this idea, she added: “Why don’t they ask the question: maybe they have already started to have an allergy to our ‘donuts?’”

According to the MFA spokesperson, the talk about Russia allegedly threatening Armenia contradicts the real content of Russian-Armenian relations.

"What danger can there be to Armenia from Russia at all if we have supported the [Armenian] republic for many years and acted as a guarantor of its security?" Zakharova asked.

Also, she called for paying attention to the opinions of Armenian citizens living and working in Russia, as well as those Armenian families whose members are on different sides of the border.

"Ask them. They will tell you about the ‘pancakes’ that have been pouring on Armenia for decades," the Russian MFA spokesperson noted.

The question of Armenia's future foreign policy course became a separate topic of the answer. According to Zakharova, Moscow is not threatening Yerevan, but is trying to find out its future intentions amid statements about striving for European integration.

"The question that we ask, and we ask it very respectfully, is as follows: what are Armenia's plans? This is a normal question. This is even a very normal question," she said.

To explain the position of the Russian side, the MFA spokesperson made a figurative comparison with an airplane flight.

In her words, the situation is reminiscent of a passenger who has registered for a flight from point A to point B, but suddenly announces that he is going to fly to point C.

"It seems to me that this is a very logical question. Where are you going? Point B or point C? If C, great. That’s probably a different flight,” Zakharova said.

She noted that Russia and other members of the integration blocs are trying to understand how Armenia is going to combine its participation in existing organizations with its course of joining the European Union.

“After all, they [i.e. Armenia] are part of a collective community, they have obligations, they have responsibilities,” the Russian MFA spokesperson emphasized.

According to Zakharova, Russia has been asking these questions through diplomatic channels for a long time and continues to expect a clear answer from the Armenian leadership about its future plans.

In conclusion, the Russian MFA spokesperson denied comments that Russia is allegedly pursuing a policy of pressure or punishment towards Armenia.

“Therefore, I categorically do not accept such wording,” she stated.