Russia says not interfering in Armenia's "domestic affairs"

PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia does not interfere in the "domestic affairs" of Armenia, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, told a briefing on Thursday, March 4.

"Our position – non-interference in domestic affairs – is balanced, clear and unambiguous, which we maintain both in our relations with the outside world and in our foreign policy aimed at building relations with individual countries, states, international organizations," Zakharova said.

Asked whether Russia could become a mediator for the settlement of the situation in Armenia, Zakharova noted that whatever is happening in the country is "the internal affair of a sovereign state."

“There are various political assessments, but our position remains unchanged,” she added.

Armenia is facing a serious political crisis after the country's top military brass demanded Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's resignation. The PM, claimed, however, that he had already dismissed the chief of the Army General Staff Onik Hasparyan and his deputy, Khachatryan. On March 2, President Sarkissian decided to not sign the draft decree on Gasparyan's dismissal, but file an application with the Constitutional Court to determine whether the law "On Military Service and Status of Military Servant" from November 15, 2017 complies with the Armenian Constitution. The General Staff said Wednesday Gasparyan will hold his post until the application filed by the President is being processed by the Constitutional Court within eight days.