We are all faced with a choice. In this historical period, Russia is carrying out a special military operation, and in fact we are talking about a war with the West, which is fighting against Russia with the hands of Ukrainians. This was stated by the deputy chairman of the Russian State Duma, Petr Tolstoy, during the Second Russia-Armenia Public Forum in Moscow Friday.

"Temptation arises in this geopolitical situation. I perfectly understand people who believe that they now have a chance to join the Western camp and be on the right side of history in time," Tolstoy noted.

He assured that, historically, Russia has never imposed strict rules and dogmas on the people and countries that were either part of Russia or were its allies.

"It has always been about common cause, common security. There were moments in the history of both Russia and Armenia when it was Russia that came to the rescue and actually saved Armenia. This shared history of ours should also influence the choice that Armenia will make.

It is clear that under the pressure of the ‘European dream,’ a person really wants to somehow end up in Europe or become Monte Carlo; but none of this will happen. Russia will win the collective war with the West because the truth is on our side," the Russian politician emphasized.

According to him, among all the countries of the former Soviet Union, Armenia has the largest embassy of the US, and Armenia has the largest number of non-profit organizations that operate based on the interests of the West.

"Political parties in Armenia are created in an absolutely open way, completely dependent on Western money, and passing on the Western agenda to the youth of Armenia," said Tolstoy.

He added that the leadership of Armenia has been pretending for some time that it no longer notices the CSTO, Russia, and other entities.

"This choice, which I am talking about, should be made by the youth, who represent the future of Armenia. I am sure that this choice will be correct.

As for the current statements by various [Armenian] politicians who are attempting to distance themselves from Russia, it seems to me that it will ultimately end up with them ending up in the dump of history—along with their Western masters," said the deputy speaker of the Russian State Duma.

According to him, while the fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh continued, MPs from Armenia were coming to the State Duma and asking to convey a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop the war.

"Today, the same [Armenian] politicians accuse Russia of inaction. All these statements have one interest: a western orientation, which some try to select for material rewards. However, it seems to me that the future of Armenia, the independence of Armenia is much more valuable than the millions of dollars that some figures of the current [Armenian] authorities are putting in their pockets. I am sure that the historical base will not allow the youth of Armenia to form the image of Russia that they are trying to impose," Tolstoy noted.

He said that the State Duma of Russia has entrusted him with dealing with interparliamentary relations with Armenia.

"I was elected MP from a region where there is a very large Armenian diaspora. So, I have very close ties with Armenia," Petr Tolstoy concluded.