Zakharova: Armenia is delaying and freezing initiatives involving Moscow.

ArmInfo. Armenia does not intend to "slow down" the implementation of European standards; it is delaying and freezing initiatives involving Moscow, the official spokesperson of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

"Serious initiatives involving us are being delayed or frozen. At the same time, we were repeatedly told like a mantra — 'we will return to their consideration after the elections.' However, no one in Yerevan intends to 'slow down' in terms of implementing European standards," Zakharova said.

She added that Yerevan is signing various memoranda and "framework plans" with Western capitals, including on cooperation in areas where Moscow has always been a traditional and reliable partner. "Even before election day there was a whole 'parade' of declarations of strategic partnership concluded with Western countries. Even with those states that dream of Russia's defeat and keep imposing new packages of sanctions against our country," the diplomat noted. She went on to touch on cooperation with Armenia within the Eurasian Economic Union and said that Moscow considers Armenia’s consumer approach to the EAEU unacceptable.

"Let me stress once more that a purely consumer approach — to go to the EU at our expense — is unacceptable for us. As follows from the leaders' statement, our partners in Eurasian integration share the same view," she said. The diplomat added that there is no unequivocal public support in Armenia for rapprochement with the West. On the contrary, a steady demand has appeared among the republic's residents for developing relations with Russia and for continuing Armenia's membership in Eurasian structures, which is beneficial for Armenia, she noted. "But the response to this opinion has been a systematic increase in pressure against the political forces that advocate such a foreign policy line — those who do not hesitate and are not afraid to call Russia a strategic ally.

They are being promised to be 'wiped off' the political map. They are allegedly 'agents of the Kremlin' and were 'sent' in order to prevent the strengthening of the republic's independence," Zakharova drew attention to. At the same time the Foreign Ministry spokeswoman emphasized that Moscow has always been interested in a strong and sovereign Armenia. "Moscow has always been and remains interested in a strong and genuinely sovereign Armenia," Zakharova said. Theie Forgn Ministry spokesperson noted that Russia's attitude toward the republic and its citizens has not changed. "As before, we consider it (Armenia) a natural partner in the

Caucasus, and the Armenian people — fraternal. We wish them nothing but peace and prosperity," the diplomat stressed. Touching on Armenia's relations with the CSTO, Zakharova reminded that Armenia will remain a full member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, retaining all its rights and obligations. "Armenia has been refraining from participating in CSTO-format events for more than two years, while remaining a full member, retaining all the corresponding rights and obligations," Zakharova said. Recall that Armenia has been boycotting events held within the CSTO since the end of 2022.

In February 2024 Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that Armenia had practically frozen its participation in the CSTO because the Organization had not fulfilled its obligations to the Republic of Armenia, which could not go without consequences. And on September 18, 2024, at the second World Armenian Summit, Pashinyan stated that the CSTO poses threats to Armenia's security, its continued existence, sovereignty, and statehood.