Zakharova: Gyumri Mayor`s story resonates within Russian society

ArmInfo. The story surrounding the indictment of Gyumri Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan for calling for the undermining of Armenia's sovereignty by supporting  Armenia's accession to the Union State has sparked significant resonance in  Russian society, especially among those concerned about  the future of Russian-Armenian relations.  Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova made this statement during  her weekly  briefing on January 22, commenting on the arrest of Gyumri Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan. 

She referenced earlier remarks by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at  his year-end press conference on January 20, who was puzzled and  concerned that one of the motives for the Gyumri mayor's arrest was  his statements favoring a union with Russia and Belarus. "I would  like to add that this story has resonated in Russian society,  especially among those who have legitimate concerns about the future  of Russian- Armenian relations. Some are connected to Armenia through  family ties, some have businesses, and some have invested in the  country," Zakharova said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson also added that Moscow is  aware that the so-called "political" charges against Vardan  Nikolaevich Ghukasyan were recently dropped. "Nevertheless, we would  like to emphasize once again: criminal prosecution for advocating  closer ties with a traditional ally is inherently absurd. I want to  emphasize: Russia has always been and remains committed to Armenia  being a sovereign, independent, and prosperous state. What's wrong  with that? How can anyone not see it? Moreover, when I say that  Russia  has spoken or continues to speak and adheres to this  ideology, it means that such an ideology is reflected not just in  words but in political actions. These are the steps that are being  taken based on this political logic and will. Some Russian  parliamentarians are also concerned about the deteriorating health of  someone illegally accused of some "political" crimes. Now, this  charge has been dropped, and the legally elected mayor of Gyumri  still remains under arrest," she noted. 

At the same time, Zakharova noted that the Armenian side's reaction  to Vardan Ghukasyan's statements is strikingly dissonant with how  Yerevan sometimes prefers to ignore comments coming from several  countries, including European ones, which Armenian society itself  interprets as completely, blatant and even very aggressive  interference in domestic affairs. She added that Moscow has never  heard of any legal action being taken, let alone arrests, against  those who incessantly call for a reckless move toward the EU, joining  it, or somehow, so to speak, attaching themselves to one side or  another of the European Union.

 "No, everything is fine. So, it turns out that they are implementing  segregation based on nationality here, as well? After all, for the  European Union, any degree of involvement in its policies truly  entails the renunciation of a portion of sovereignty. As far as we  know, this very approach falls under one of the articles of Armenia's  Criminal Code. Why not investigate, punish, and analyze those who, by  pushing Armenia toward the EU, literally call for the renunciation of  Armenia's sovereignty-partial, complete, and so on?" she asked. She  also recommended looking at what's currently happening within the  European Union, how countries there can, but are in fact  fundamentally incapable of defending their individual rights or  interests, or collective ones, or anything at all. "This is precisely  the renunciation of sovereignty when a country is forced to act  against its national interests. And  not just forced,  but literally  forced to sign off on prioritizing collective interests and  not  defending its own interests in any way if the EU's collective  unconsciousness doesn't allow it and deems there is no point for this  state to defend the national interests of any country," the Russian  diplomat concluded.

Recall, Vardan Ghukasyan was arrested on October 21, 2025, in  connection with a bribery case. On October 26, his lawyers announced  a new case against Ghukasyan for "public calls to renounce Armenia's  sovereignty" in connection with his statements about a union with  Russia and Belarus. On November 21, it became known that Vardan  Ghukasyan had been charged with a third offense, under Article 297 of  the country's Criminal Code (hooliganism committed by a group of  persons using information or communication technologies-maximum  penalty of up to 5 years in prison).

On December 17, 2025, the court extended Vardan Ghukasyan's pretrial  detention for another three months.  On January 1, 2026, lawyer  Zaruhi Postanjyan published a notice from the investigator stating  that the prosecution initiated against Gyumri Mayor Vardan for  calling for the renunciation of sovereignty was unfounded. According  to the notice, Ghukasyan's actions did not constitute a crime, and  therefore the criminal proceedings were to be terminated.