Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) spokesperson Maria Zakharova commented on Armenian National Assembly speaker Alen Simonyan’s statements regarding Yerevan's possible reaction to a change in the price of Russian natural gas being supplied to Armenia.

Answering journalists' questions, Zakharova began with a sarcastic remark, noting the frequency of such statements.

"As they say, hello again. Why are you doing this with Alen Robertovich [Simonyan]? Tell me, please. Do you have any personal dislike for him?" she asked, responding to a request to comment on the Armenian politician's recent statements.

The conversation turned to Simonyan’s statement made in a conversation with a journalist, in which, commenting on the visit of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to Moscow last week and an interview with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk, he suggested that Armenia could withdraw from the CSTO and the EAEU if the price of Russian natural gas being supplied to Armenia rises.

Zakharova declined to attach any serious importance to these words.

“It is a bit reminiscent of the story of threatening a hedgehog, revealing its own capabilities. I do not want to seriously comment on the statements of emotional politicians who have made so many contradictory statements, especially regarding the CSTO; we have heard many things,” she emphasized.

At the same time, the Russian MFA spokesperson reminded that similar contradictory statements have been made before as well regarding Armenia’s participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

“I am just reminding. I hope it will not be blocked in Armenia, as they say, when it was said that it is not Armenia that is leaving or may leave the CSTO, but the CSTO is leaving Armenia. I do not know whether this process is over or is still in full swing. So why review it? Why evaluate? I want to emphasize again, emotional statements,” she added.

Zakharova noted also that such statements should first of all be evaluated in Armenia itself. According to her, it is the citizens of the country who should form their attitude towards the statements of politicians who determine the domestic and foreign policy of the state.

“I think that this should be interpreted first of all by the citizens of Armenia, since we are talking about the people who govern the lives of the citizens of Armenia and shape their future,” she said.

At the same time, the Russian MFA spokesperson emphasized that there are issues that require a substantive, not an emotional, assessment. In particular, she discussed in detail the topic of Russian natural gas supplies to Armenia. Zakharova recalled that this issue was discussed during the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Moscow on April 1. According to her, during the negotiations, specific figures were discussed that reflect the current conditions of cooperation.

“Armenia receives Russian [natural] gas for $177.50, while in Europe the price reaches $600,” she stated.

Zakharova emphasized that this is not a matter of assessments or feelings, but of verifiable data.

“That example is not a feeling, it is a fact. There is no assumption here; there is simply numbers based on objective data,” she noted.

Zakharova stated that ensuring energy security is one of the main goals of any state, and this is what the Armenian leadership should be guided by.

The Russian MFA spokesperson drew attention also to the situation in global energy markets, noting the high level of instability.