Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has addressed Moscow's criticism regarding statements made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a recent international gathering in Yerevan.
"As the leader of the host country, I believe I should not be engaged in reacting to every speech or applying censorship," Pashinyan stated. According to Operative Information Center-OMM, the Prime Minister made these remarks while commenting on the Russian Federation's dissatisfaction with Zelenskyy's rhetoric during the European Political Community summit held in the Armenian capital.
Pashinyan emphasized that the expression of diverse opinions is a standard feature of such international forums. "This is a multilateral platform, and people should express their views here," he noted, adding that Armenia has not previously been expected to provide reactions to statements made by other leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, during similar events.
The diplomatic friction arose after the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a formal protest regarding Zelenskyy's speech in Yerevan. Moscow labeled the Ukrainian leader's comments as "unacceptable statements" against Russia and asserted that Armenia's failure to condemn the remarks was inconsistent with the partnership relations between the two nations.
This exchange highlights the growing tension between Yerevan and Moscow as Armenia increasingly seeks to diversify its foreign policy and security partnerships. The European Political Community summit, where these events transpired, serves as a major platform for policy coordination across the continent, frequently bringing together leaders from both EU and non-EU states to discuss regional security and stability.
