Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia, has described the Western interference in the parliamentary elections held on June 7 in Armenia as "unprecedented," according to TACC agency.
He specifically pointed to the persecution of the leader of the Prosperous Armenia Party, Gagik Tsarukyan, stating that a "new phase of pressure against undesirable members of the opposition for the ruling circles has begun."
"This has been met with complete silence from Western countries. Their interference in the recent electoral campaign was unprecedented," said the third president of Russia.
According to Medvedev, "Armenia is merely a tool for the West against Russia": "The West is most interested in cleansing the political field of all forces that call for maintaining healthy relations between Yerevan and Moscow," he noted.
The Russian official warned that any step by Yerevan to sever traditional ties with Russia will inevitably have serious consequences for the Armenian people.
Russia will judge the intentions of the Armenian authorities based on their practical steps, said the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia.
As a result of the parliamentary elections, congratulations to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan have yet to be received from Russia, while various claims are coming from Moscow that the elections in Armenia were conducted with violations.
On June 11, Prime Minister Pashinyan expressed hope that he would receive congratulations.
Ahead of the elections, Moscow effectively imposed economic sanctions on Armenia, urging it to quickly decide whether it will remain in the EAEU or move towards the European Union. Yerevan assures that it is still possible to combine membership in the EAEU with aspirations towards the EU.
