The Hraparak daily of Armenia writes as follows, in particular: RF MFA [i.e. the Russian Federation Ministry of Foreign Affairs] representative [i.e. spokesperson] Maria Zakharova announced about a week ago that the possible introduction of a visa regime by Armenia for Russian citizens will be directed not against Moscow, but against its own citizens.

We learned from our [Armenian] authorities’ sources that in fact, it is the West that is making such a demand to Armenia to establish a visa regime with Russia. Moreover, they say that this is the precondition after which the EU can liberalize the visa regime for Armenia in a few years.

The [Armenian] authorities have announced that such a process will begin in 2029. According to our source, if [Russian President Vladimir] Putin presents us with ultimatums and preconditions in direct text, then the West does it quietly, behind the scenes. We were told that one of the Western demands is the appointment of former SC [i.e. Security Council] secretary Armen Grigoryan to a key position.

Let us recall that [Armenian PM Nikol] Pashinyan dismissed him to give a position to [former parliament speaker] Alen Simonyan. The West suggests sending its “man” to the [Armenian] MoD or the NSS [i.e. the National Security Service], where Russian influence is still strong. But the Russian authorities once did everything to prevent Grigoryan from being appointed foreign minister; this time as well they will prevent it at all costs.