Armenian Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan justified the shift in Armenia’s foreign policy, asserting it would foster regional stability.

“Despite Armenia’s heavy reliance on Russia, we still faced a war,” he told reporters on June 26. “The pre-existing conditions led us into conflict. We believe these changes will bring stability.”

Grigoryan blamed Russia for handing over Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan.

“Russia intervened, gave Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan, and withdrew. This happened while we were entirely dependent on Russia. Russia took Nagorno-Karabakh from Armenians, returned it to Azerbaijan, and stepped back. I assert that Russia was responsible for this. Without Russia’s approval, this war would not have occurred,” the security chief said, adding that “Russia should be questioned about what it gained by surrendering Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020.”

Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, commented on this statement during a weekly press briefing.

"As representatives of the authorities, such figures degrade their people. Armenian citizens defended their territory and gave their lives, and they considered this to be of historical importance. The ideology of Armenia as a state has been built on these concepts for many years. They knew why they were going to battle, why they were sacrificing their well-being, condemning their wives and children to widowhood and orphanhood. And how can their memory be betrayed in such a cynical way, to nullify what was called a 'feat' before - and, I believe, still is - in Armenia,” said Zakharova.

Zakharova also criticized "temporary rulers fed from outside and insulting their own people." “It’s astonishing to me how people can treat the historical memory of their long-suffering nation in such a humiliating way,” Zakharova added.

Grigory Karasin, Chair of the Russian Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, also refuted Armen Grigoryan's claims that Russia was "handing over" Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan. In an interview with RIA Novosti, Karasin stressed that Grigoryan should review statements made by Armenian politicians on this matter.

“This is absolutely not true. It is necessary to reflect on the notes and speeches of Armenian political figures, including the top leadership. The answers to these questions are contained there. These notes are known; let him read them,” the Russian lawmaker noted.