We have no problems with the Armenian people, we have helped and are helping and will continue to help them, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, has said when asked to comment on a statement by an Armenian MP that the broadcasting of the Russian TV channels should be blocked in Armenia.

"Russia has not lost friends in Armenia. Another thing is that we see a huge amount of provocation; we see what 2000 American diplomats are doing in Armenia, mainly spreading lies and misinformation. It is surprising that the authorities in Yerevan do not notice this.

In addition, against this background, against the background those 2,000 American diplomats are in Armenia, and for some reason this does not raise any questions among Armenian officials... Against this background, one deputy from the ruling faction comes out and announces about the need to block Russian media.

In addition, all this, in addition to the fact that Russian journalists are no longer allowed to enter Armenia, are included in the "stop-lists", etc. I want to remind you that the current authorities of Armenia came to power with the main slogan "Freedom of Speech". Everything else seemed secondary.

This does not just work one way when only they can talk. Anyone can speak and it should be broadcast because they are alternative sources of information. Cutting off those sources is a blow to democracy. And there is no other way to call it. This is a blow to the foundations of the political platform of the current authorities of Armenia. Such statements indicate deviation from democratic principles,” she said.