Moscow warns Yerevan over “anti-Russian” foreign policy course

(Horizon Media / YEREVAN) — Russia has warned that Armenia’s current foreign policy direction could lead to deeper alignment with what it describes as a European “anti-Russian agenda,” following high-level European meetings held in the Armenian capital.

Maria Zakharova, speaking on behalf of the Russian Foreign Ministry, said Yerevan risks “irreversible involvement” in Brussels-driven policies that could carry political and economic consequences for the country.

She criticized the European Union’s approach as self-serving, alleging that Brussels seeks to extract benefits from Armenia while offering little in return beyond “public relations campaigns.” Zakharova also described the recent summit in Yerevan as a political “show,” arguing it was designed to package European engagement ahead of Armenia’s upcoming elections.

The comments follow the eighth summit of the European Political Community, held in Yerevan on May 4, and the first Armenia–EU summit, which brought together around 50 delegations, including senior European leaders.

Zakharova further accused European officials of signalling support for Armenia’s current authorities during the pre-election period, framing it as interference in the country’s internal affairs.

She also took aim at the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who traveled to Armenia for the first time during the summit. Zakharova described him in sharply critical terms and claimed his presence reflected the kind of political direction the EU envisions for Armenia.

In addition, the Russian Foreign Ministry suggested that Armenia may be drifting away from prior commitments not to take steps viewed as hostile to Moscow, while cautioning that potential European financial assistance would not directly benefit ordinary citizens.

The remarks underscore growing tensions between Moscow and Yerevan as Armenia expands engagement with European partners amid a shifting regional and geopolitical landscape.