The chairwoman of the Federation Council of Russia, Valentina Matviyenko, expressed the hope that the current situation in Armenia will be resolved peacefully.

“We [i.e. Russia] are closely following the events, and we hope that the issue will be solved peacefully, [and] by way of negotiations between the [Armenian] authorities and demonstrators,” stressed the speaker of the Russian Federation Council.

Matviyenko also expressed the hope that the Armenian authorities will handle the situation, which is Armenia’s internal affair.

She stressed, however, that Armenia is a friendship country of Russia and a member in the Eurasian Economic Union, and therefore Russia is not apathetic towards what is going on in Armenia, reported TASS news agency of Russia.

On early Tuesday morning the police dispersed the activists protesting against electricity price hike by using water cannon, and detained many activists and journalists.

On Tuesday evening, however, the sit-in participants marched toward the Office of the President yet again and with a larger crowd, and the police blocked their way again. The sit-in continues Wednesday at Baghramian Avenue, which is closed, and traffic towards this boulevard is suspended.

Despite numerous protests, the Public Services Regulatory Commission increased the price of electricity in Armenia, and this decision will take effect on August 1. The decision, however, is expected to be followed by an increase in the prices of numerous products and services in the country.