Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said the war in Ukraine and confrontation with the West was behind Moscow’s arms delivery to Armenia.
Addressing a press conference in Yerevan after meeting his counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan on Wednesday, on the second day of his trip to Armenia, Lavrov admitted that there has been delay in delivery of some weapons. “We are currently in a situation where, as has happened throughout history, we are forced to fight all of Europe,” Lavrov said, while accusing the West for supporting Ukraine “under Nazi slogans”.
“Our Armenian friends understand that in such conditions we cannot fulfill all our obligations on time,” the top Russian diplomat added.
Lavrov went on addressing Armenia’s deepening ties with Western countries, including France. He particularly pointed out to Yerevan’s arms purchase from third parties, including France that is perceived as a hostile country by Kremlin. “When an ally turns to a country like France, which leads the hostile camp, and whose president and ministers speak openly with hatred toward Russia, it does raise questions,” he said.
Lavrov also said there was “no need” for the “Ukrainisation” of Armenia, as it remained a Russian ally. “Armenia is our ally, our friend, Armenia does not outlaw the Russian language and Russian culture, does not deprive ethnic Russians and those who simply want to speak Russian of their legal rights.”
Lavrov arrived in Yerevan on Tuesday evening in his first trip to Armenia in nearly three years. He was met by a small protesters who carried pro-EU and anti-Kremlin posters.
The ties between the two former allies have deteriorated since 2022 after Russia’s failure to back Armenia in the war with neighbouring Azerbaijan. Since then, Yerevan has effectively suspended its participation in the Moscow-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) military bloc.
