Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the placement of posters in Yerevan insulting Russian President Vladimir Putin is a paid action organized by pro-Western forces using remaining funds from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

According to her, such actions aim to undermine Russian-Armenian relations ahead of Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's visit to Armenia.

During a briefing, Zakharova reminded of the large staff of the U.S. embassy in Armenia, noting that "apparently, some employees have yet to realize that they should be strengthening Russian-American relations, not undermining Russian-Armenian ones." She also emphasized that "perhaps someone in Armenia still has leftover funds provided through USAID, which was engaged in such projects."

The diplomat noted that Russia and Armenia have a broad agenda for discussions and specific, practical, pragmatic work. She added that "many from the minorities do not like this, which the Russian side also knows." According to her, Moscow focuses on a constructive and positive agenda.

Zakharova expressed the opinion that the organizers of such actions are incapable of more.

Earlier, several provocative anti-Putin posters appeared in Yerevan near the Russian embassy and on the "Kiev Bridge." They are also being distributed on social networks by leaders and activists of pro-Western forces receiving grants.