Russia has delayed or frozen several initiatives involving Armenia because of decisions taken in Yerevan, according to Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, who said Armenian authorities continue to deepen engagement with Western partners while putting joint projects with Moscow on hold.
Speaking to RIA Novosti, Zakharova said projects involving Russia had faced repeated delays despite assurances from Armenian officials that discussions would resume after elections.
“Serious initiatives with our participation are delayed or frozen. At the same time, we were told as a mantra — ‘we will return to their consideration after the elections.’ However, no one in Yerevan is going to slow down in terms of implementing European standards,” Zakharova said.
Her remarks are the latest sign of growing friction between Moscow and Yerevan, whose relationship has become increasingly strained in recent years as Armenia has sought closer ties with Europe and other Western partners. Russia has repeatedly voiced concern about Armenia’s political and economic engagement with the West, arguing that such moves could undermine longstanding cooperation between the two countries.
Zakharova said Armenian authorities are continuing to sign new agreements and cooperation frameworks with Western governments, including in sectors where Russia has traditionally played a significant role.
“Yerevan is signing various memoranda and ‘framework plans’ with Western countries, including on cooperation in areas where Moscow has always been a traditional and reliable partner,” the diplomat said.
According to Zakharova, Armenia’s outreach to Western countries has accelerated even as discussions over Russia-backed initiatives remain stalled.
“Even before the voting day, a whole ‘parade’ of declarations on strategic partnership concluded with Western countries took place. Even with those states that dream of Russia’s defeat, they are introducing new packages of sanctions against our country,” Zakharova explained.
The comments reflect Moscow’s broader criticism of Armenia’s foreign policy direction. Russian officials have repeatedly argued that Yerevan is moving closer to European institutions and adopting policies aligned with Western governments, while reducing engagement with Russian-led initiatives and existing forms of regional integration.
Relations between the two countries have deteriorated significantly since Armenia began reassessing parts of its security and foreign policy strategy following regional developments in the South Caucasus. The Armenian government has pursued deeper cooperation with the European Union and other European partners while maintaining that it seeks to preserve pragmatic relations with Russia.
Moscow, however, has increasingly portrayed Armenia’s European ambitions as incompatible with some existing forms of regional integration. Russian officials have warned that closer alignment with the EU could carry political and economic consequences, particularly given Armenia’s longstanding economic ties with Russia.
Zakharova’s latest remarks suggest that Russia remains dissatisfied with the pace and direction of bilateral cooperation, especially regarding projects in which Moscow expected continued Armenian participation.
While she did not identify the specific initiatives that have been delayed or frozen, her comments underscored the Kremlin’s concern that Armenia is continuing to advance cooperation with Western capitals while postponing decisions on projects involving Russia.
The Armenian government has not publicly responded to Zakharova’s latest comments. However, Armenian officials have consistently argued that expanding ties with Europe and other international partners does not necessarily preclude maintaining constructive relations with Moscow.
For now, Zakharova’s statement highlights the widening gap between the two countries as Armenia continues to pursue closer engagement with Western partners and Russia voices growing frustration over what it sees as the freezing of key bilateral initiatives.
