On 26 March, Russia’s ambassador to Armenia Sergey Kopyrkin spoke to the press on the current issues on the Armenian-Russian relations, including the upcoming snap elections, military cooperation and Covid-19 vaccination. 

While addressing the issue of the upcoming elections, Kopyrkin said that Russia would be “closely watching the electoral processes” in Armenia ahead of snap parliamentary polls, but without interfering in the country's domestic affairs. “We hope that all these processes will promote the consolidation of the society and resolution of the problems it is facing. We proceed from the premise that strengthening of allied relations is in the interests of Armenia and Russia. We, in our turn, encourage it without interfering into domestic affairs of the country,” he stated. 

In regard to the meetings which Kopyrkin conducted with the leaders of Armenian political parties, including those which are not in parliament, the ambassador said the meetings did not stop and will not stop. “Of course, I see no reason why I should abandon this practice. This is one of the functions of ambassadors, diplomats to be in contact with representatives of society, politics, economy of the host country,” he said. 

In regard to security topics, Kopyrkin emphasised that the cooperation between Armenian and Russian ministries of defence is very tight and intensive. “This cooperation fully reflects the strategic, allied nature of relations that tie our countries. It is predicated on the realities and demands in the security sector existing now,” he added. 

Speaking on the post-war situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, the ambassador said that the issue of return of prisoners of war (POWs) and other captives was one of the priorities for the Russian leadership and the peacekeeping contingent. “The issue is not being easily settled, but works are underway. Certain success is being registered in this direction. I am convinced that hence too everything will be done for the issue to be settled as soon as possible. You know our position and the logical approach – “all for all”. Everything possible is being done. I believe the issue will be discussed during the upcoming contacts,” Kopyrkin said.

Finally, Kopyrkin also announced that a batch of Russian Sputnik V vaccine would arrive in Armenia very soon. He recalled that a smaller batch of Sputnik V vaccine had been delivered to Armenia free of charge for vaccinating several groups of population. Asked whether the vaccine could be produced in Armenia as well, the ambassador said there was an active dialogue between the health officials of both countries and the Russian Direct Investment Fund. “I don’t have any specific information regarding the possible production of the vaccine in Armenia, but I know that this topic is indeed being actively discussed,” he said.