The Kremlin has a negative attitude to the ban on the entry of journalist Aram Gabrelyanov and other Russian media managers to Armenia, friendly relations between Moscow and Yerevan should be protected from such incidents, stated Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

"To be honest, we have a negative attitude towards it. Armenia is our great friend, ally, strategic partner. And, of course, the level and nature of bilateral relations obligates us to refrain from such cases. We hope that in the foreseeable future our bilateral relations will be free from such incidents," said Peskov, when asked how the Kremlin views the fact that some Russian journalists and media managers with a pro-Russian stance are banned from entering a friendly country.

In addition to the situation with Gabrelyanov, the statement by Margarita Simonyan—chief editor of Russia Today (RT) media group and RT television of Russia—that she was also banned from entering Armenia was mentioned.

Russian journalist and publisher, founder of News Media Holding, Aram Gabrelyanov, has been banned from entering Armenia and has been added on the country’s list of persona non grata.