YEREVAN. – The group of protesting Armenians demanding to go to Russia marched from outside the main building of the government of Armenia to the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to continue their demonstration there, and they were met there by foreign minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan.

He noted that Armenia was still holding talks and discussions with Russia, but he cannot say when the borders will be reopened. "In this case, they [the Russian authorities] do not allow the not-citizens [of Russia to enter the country]. People, these are the rules of that country. There are 192 other countries besides Armenia. Please let’s be clear. I do not give you an empty promise. The [COVID-19] pandemic will pass, everything will be settled," he said.

To a person’s question as to what discussions were taking place with Russia, Mnatsakanyan said: "Let me remind [you] that there is a global pandemic. The situation is not such that the [respective] rule will change yet. We make our decisions according to the requirements of our country because our first target is to reduce and fight this pandemic in our country.”

Mnatsakanyan stressed that he could not promise them that the border would reopen soon. "We will not be able to come to any agreement. You say, 'Let us go;' [but] it is not possible now. I will not make any promises to you because it would be a lie for me to make a promise."