Russian MP: Moscow must take `principled position` on post-election  political situation in Armenia

ArmInfo.  Moscow must take a "principled position" regarding the political situation in Armenia after the parliamentary elections, while continuing to engage with  the current government at the de facto level. This was stated by  Konstantin Zatulin, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee  on CIS Affairs, in an interview with Moskovsky Komsomolets.

According to him, the Russian side cannot recognize the recent  elections as fully democratic and in line with international  standards.

The MP recalled that the electoral process lacked equal conditions  for political competition, and pressure was applied against the  opposition. Zatulin noted that, in his opinion, such trends persisted  both during the pre-election period and after the vote.

"We cannot in any way consider the recent elections democratic or in  line with generally accepted standards. We cannot do so because the  conditions for a fair electoral contest were not met," the politician  said.

He also noted violations during the voting and controversial  decisions at certain polling stations, which, he said, could have  influenced the final vote distribution.

At the same time, the MP emphasized the need to maintain practical  cooperation with Armenia, despite political differences.

"We declare that we do not accept the results of these elections as  fair and objective. But since we are allied with Armenia and have  traditionally developed ties, we will continue to work with it, based  on the fact that today it is led by people who remained in power as a  result of unfair, undemocratic elections," the Russian politician  said.

He added that Moscow will continue to cooperate with the current  Armenian authorities, while simultaneously maintaining a political  position of not recognizing the de jure results. Zatulin also  commented on the prospects for economic and integration relations  between the countries, including the possible continuation of  restrictions on the import of Armenian goods and Armenia's continued  participation in Eurasian structures. He believed that changes in  Yerevan's political course toward the EU could lead to a revision of  the terms of cooperation.

Regarding energy prices, he noted that this issue should be resolved  depending on Armenia's strategic choices and the format of bilateral  relations.

Zatulin also touched on military-political cooperation, including the  Russian military presence in the region, emphasizing that Russia will  not initiate a review of this relationship but will respond to  possible steps by the Armenian side.

In conclusion, he stated that the level of political contacts between  Moscow and Yerevan could be reduced, and visits could be reconsidered  in favor of greater restraint.