Wednesday, February 28 2024 18:07

ArmInfo. Moscow considers attempts to denigrate Russian representatives in Armenia counterproductive. This was stated on February 28 during a weekly briefing by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, when asked to comment on the statements of the Secretary of the Armenian Security Council that the Russian troops did not allow European observers to enter Nerkin Hand.

She emphasized that in Moscow such statements are perceived extremely  negatively.  "It is not the first time that the Secretary of the  Security Council of Armenia distorts facts just to please someone in  the West, perhaps to find some reasons to criticize Russia.  There  are no Russian troops in the area of Nerkin Hand. There, in  accordance with an agreement with the Armenian side, a border service  post of the FSS of the Russian Federation was deployed in 2021," the  Russian diplomat said.

She also recalled that as mentioned,  investigation is being  conducted in Armenia into violations of the order to prevent  provocations and maintain restraint in the border area.  "We consider  attempts to denigrate Russian representatives to be  counterproductive. For over 30 years, Russian border guards have been  guarding the borders of the republic; they have repeatedly proven  their relevance," Zakharova emphasized, while accusing European  observers of not doing what was stated.  According to her, EU  observers are busy "collecting intelligence information" about Russia  and Iran, as well as 'self-PR".

When asked to comment on the message about a possible visit of  Ukrainian President to Armenia in early March, Zakharova advised  contacting Yerevan and Kyiv for comment. At the same time, the  diplomat expressed the conviction that Armenia, as an ally of Russia,  is well aware of Moscow's position regarding the "Kyiv regime."