The Russian side does not condition the development of bilateral relations with Armenia on the latter’s domestic political electoral processes. Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated this during a press briefing Thursday, referring to the statements coming from Armenia that Armenian-Russian cooperation may become more active after Sunday’s parliamentary elections in Armenia.

According to Zakharova, Armenian-Russian relations are of a strategic nature and should not depend on the political situation or election campaigns. The Russian MFA spokesperson said that Russia has never built its policy towards Armenia—or any other country—based on the electoral phases.

“Excuse me, but what prevented from doing this before the elections or during the elections? You know, this is the story of the famous cartoon: ‘Why was I so evil? Because I didn’t have a bicycle. And now that I have a bicycle, I have immediately become kinder.’ It’s ridiculous,” Zakharova noted.

Also, she drew attention to the fact that recently the Russian side has been recording a significant intensification of efforts aimed at Armenia’s rapprochement with the European Union (EU) and Euro-Atlantic organizations. And as evidence of this, Zakharova pointed to the statements of the Armenian leadership, the signals of support coming from Brussels, as well as a series of political contacts between EU representatives and the Armenian authorities.

The Russian MFA spokesperson paid special attention also to the results of the Armenia-EU summit held on May 5 in Yerevan, and noted that the declaration adopted on its basis contains provisions that welcome Armenia’s European aspirations.

As per Zakharova, such processes naturally raise questions both among the Russian side, a part of Armenian society, and Armenia’s partners in integration associations. The main question, according to her, is how Armenia intends to combine the deepening of cooperation with the EU with the obligations assumed within the framework of already existing international organizations.

Zakharova noted that Russia has repeatedly raised this topic both during bilateral contacts and in response to inquiries from members of the media and business circles. According to her, the Russian side has tried to find out Armenia’s future foreign policy and economic course, but has not received exhaustive clarifications to date.

Also, the Russian MFA spokesperson slammed the approach when Armenia is trying to simultaneously maintain its participation in existing integration mechanisms and deepen cooperation with Western organizations—without clearly defining its own priorities. In her opinion, such a position raises questions for all interested parties.

In particular, Zakharova stated that Russia does not intend to support such processes that could contribute to Armenia’s further rapprochement with the EU at the expense of the interests of existing integration associations. She argued that the EU pursues an unfriendly policy towards Russia and provides support to the Ukrainian authorities from all sides.

According to the Russian MFA spokesperson, Moscow considers it natural to openly express its position on issues that affect Russia's strategic interests and its allied relations.

In conclusion, Zakharova stated that the issue of Armenia's future foreign policy course needs clarification. She said that Sunday’s Armenian parliamentary elections themselves are not the reason for the discussions that have arisen, and what is of key importance is what course Armenia's leadership intends to pursue in the future.

Russia expects that all issues related to Armenia's foreign policy priorities and its commitments undertaken within the framework of existing international organizations will be clarified through an open and substantive dialogue.