Russia criticizes Armenian officials and warns of Ukrainian military consequences

Russian officials have issued sharp rebukes regarding recent statements from Armenian leadership and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, described comments by Armenian Security Council Secretary Alen Simonyan as ‘provocative.’ Simonyan had suggested Armenia is prepared to accept a ‘new wave of Russian citizens’ seeking to avoid deployment to the Ukrainian front. Zakharova argued such rhetoric serves Western propaganda and encourages illegal actions by Russian citizens.

In a separate diplomatic assessment, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galozin stated that efforts by Kyiv and its European allies to impede Russian military progress will only result in increased casualties for the Ukrainian army. Galozin accused Ukraine of violating agreements regarding the suspension of attacks on energy infrastructure—an initiative proposed by the United States in early 2025—on 136 occasions.

Furthermore, Galozin expressed skepticism toward European-led negotiations, suggesting that Western powers intend to use talks merely to provide the Ukrainian regime with a ‘breathing space’ on the front lines while maintaining Ukraine as a bulwark against Russia. Moscow has also dismissed rumors of a new wave of military mobilization in Russia as ‘fake news’ intended to destabilize the country.