Russia Says Armenia Is Being Drawn Into EU's 'Anti-Russian Orbit' Amid Tensions
Rising Tensions Between Russia and Armenia Over EU Alignment
Russia's Accusations Against Armenia
MOSCOW, May 7 (Reuters) - Russia's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that Armenia was being drawn into what it described as the European Union's "anti‑Russian orbit".
The comment by the ministry's spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, was a sign of increasing tensions between the two countries, formerly close allies, after Armenian officials accused Russia of failing to protect it from neighbour and longtime rival Azerbaijan.
Statements from Russian Officials
Zakharova told reporters that Armenia, with the approval of its leadership, was becoming aligned with what she described as "aggressive Euro-Atlantic standards".
Potential Consequences for Armenia
"Such a course will inevitably lead to negative political and economic consequences for Armenia," she said in a briefing.
Armenia's Growing Ties with the European Union
Armenia has in recent years sought to deepen ties with the EU, including by hosting the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Yerevan on May 4 and a follow‑up EU-Armenia summit, bringing more than 40 European leaders to the capital.
Background: Strained Relations Since Nagorno-Karabakh
Ties between Russia and Armenia, host to various Russian military bases, have grown increasingly rancorous since Azerbaijan forcibly retook its breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023 despite the presence there of Russian peacekeepers.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Dmitry Antonov, Writing by Anna Peverieri; Editing by Mark Trevelyan and Gareth Jones)
