Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov stated that Russian authorities have not yet made any official comments regarding the parliamentary elections in Armenia. However, he asserts that "all violations are being recorded."
The Russian Foreign Ministry, for its part, has seen "unprecedented pressure on the opposition and Western interference" in the Armenian elections. Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova believes that the preliminary results announced by the Central Election Commission confirm that the Civil Contract party, which declared its victory, "has not received exceptional powers."
"It is also significant that, in the manner characteristic of the current Armenian administration, the persecution has focused exclusively on those political forces that advocate for strengthening the republic's vital union with Russia." "And also for Armenia's continued participation in Eurasian integration, including membership in the EAEU and CSTO, and abandoning the dead-end path of joining the European Union, which is pursuing a hostile policy against our country," Zakharova lamented.
Leonid Slutsky, head of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, emphasized that the victory of Nikol Pashinyan's party "under conditions of restrictions on voting abroad, pressure on the opposition, censorship, and control of the media, undoubtedly raises questions in terms of freedom of expression," and that the election results were essentially "rigged," further exacerbating the divisions in Armenian society. The deputy warned that if Pashinyan allows the implementation of the "anti-Russia" project in Armenia, Yerevan will "step on the same rake as Ukraine."
Against the backdrop of these statements, Moscow threatened to expand restrictions on imports of Armenian fish, which would supplement the previously imposed ban on the import of certain fruits, vegetables, mineral water, cognac, and flowers.
As a reminder, Nikol Pashinyan's Civil Contract party received 49.81% of the vote in the June 7 parliamentary elections. Pro-Russian opposition forces, represented by the Strong Armenia bloc and the Armenia party, received 23.29% and 9.94%, respectively.
