The Armenian Union of Russia condemned Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s recent statements against clergy of the Armenian Apostolic Church, calling his language offensive and disgraceful.

According to the Union's statement, Pashinyan’s “public and shameless use of crude language” toward the Armenian Apostolic Church undermines the dignity of the office of Prime Minister, and signals a shameful “campaign against Armenian identity and statehood.”

The statement further notes that the Prime Minister, despite the constitutional separation of church and state, has repeatedly violated this principle — most recently by suggesting that “the Republic of Armenia should have a decisive voice in the election of the Catholicos of All Armenians.”

“This resembles a political maneuver aimed at diverting public attention from real dangers and existential threats,” the Union stated.