In parliament, journalists asked National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan whether recent statements and positions by Europeans could further complicate Armenian-Russian relations.
“I do not know to what extent the logic is correct that the Republic of Armenia should pursue its interests while constantly looking back to make sure Russia does not take offense. I believe this is not correct, because when Russia advances its own interests, it does not look at whether it aligns with Armenia’s interests or not,” Simonyan said.
According to him, Armenia is not taking any steps against Russia.
“The Republic of Armenia is ensuring its own security and its political direction. When we were in a state of war in the past with Azerbaijan, Russia was both selling weapons to Azerbaijan and maintaining allied relations, while saying that it is an independent state and has relations with everyone. Should Armenia be constrained, should it be told whom to be on good terms with and whom not?” he stated.
Responding to the observation that Armenia is economically dependent on Russia, Simonyan said he did not want to make overly sharp statements, but questioned what that dependence means—whether Armenia should live on its knees under the ‘boot’ of some great power, be it France, Russia, or any other country, or whether it should try, without going to war or becoming hostile with anyone, to stand up for its small state.
“We must stand up for our country; Armenia must make its own choice. It does not want to replace one ‘big brother’ with another. In the past, we were on our knees because our presidential elections were marred by fraud, and even before the Central Electoral Commission announced the results, Russia had already issued congratulations. Most of our security structures were aligned with Russia, and our entire political conjuncture and trajectory were coordinated and carried out in parallel,” the Speaker emphasized.
According to him, Armenia did not have independence until 2018, and after 2020, “we saw what happened when our ally at the very least left us alone.”
