Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), emphasized at a press briefing on February 28 that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s statements regarding Russia's alleged involvement in calls for a coup d'état in the republic are unfounded. Zakharova asserted that Moscow has never allowed even an insinuation of such actions.

She noted: “Those claims of the Prime Minister of Armenia (...) have no basis. Russian officials have never even insinuated at overthrowing legitimately elected authorities anywhere. I would like the authorities of Yerevan, when they talk about such things, to remember that we profess such an approach to the current authorities of Yerevan and the previous authorities of Yerevan and, indeed, to any sovereign state. A logical question arises: Do those who are now in Yerevan adhere to this logic in connection with other countries or in connection with their internal political processes?”

At the same time, Zakharova reminded Russia and Armenia remain allies, but “for some reason, they pay the least attention to it in Yerevan.”

“They look at some information component under a magnifying glass. We have time-tested official relations, and under it, there is a legal basis,” said the official representative of the Russian MFA.

Commenting on the Crossroads of Peace project proposed by the Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan, Russian FM spox noted that it is not an alternative to Meghri or another route. 

“As for non-regional players, their reluctance to help unblock communications in the South Caucasus is explained solely by considerations of the political situation. They are not interested in increasing Armenia and Azerbaijan's interdependence with each other and their neighbors. They strive to tear the region into pieces, to present their interests there, without thinking about others, thus deepening the disagreements between the countries,” she added. 

Regarding the chances of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Yerevan, Maria Zakharova said: "Neither Kyiv nor Yerevan confirmed nor denied the information about the visit. The representatives of Armenia and Ukraine should first comment on these messages. As an ally [of Russia], Armenia is well aware of our position towards the Kyiv regime."