Anti-Russian and pro-Russian demonstrations were held simultaneously in Yerevan. During the first, a group of people gathered with EU flags in front of the parliament building. Citizens also gathered there with posters emphasizing the centuries-old friendship between Armenia and the Russian Federation.
According to Armenian media reports, verbal altercations and disputes occurred between the participants of the two actions. Police officers restrained the protesters from both sides and separated them to prevent a skirmish.
The Chairman of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation Valentina Matviyenko spoke in parliament. She recalled that Russia is interested in developing and expanding multifaceted cooperation with Armenia. The history of relations between the two countries is based on strong friendship and close traditions of the peoples of Russia and Armenia, Matviyenko noted.
Earlier, Armenia froze its participation in the pro-Russian CSTO bloc and applied to join the European Union. Yerevan also completely refused to purchase Russian weapons.
