Moscow Protests Armenian “Unfriendly Steps” Amid Joint Military Drills with U.S.

Moscow summoned the Armenian ambassador in a harsh protest over Yerevan’s alleged “unfriendly steps” as the country announced that it would hold joint military drills with the U.S. and escalating tensions over the issue of Karabakh.

Yerevan Criticizes Moscow’s Peacekeeping Mission

Yerevan, a traditional Russian ally, has increasingly criticized Moscow’s peacekeeping mission there.

Russian Foreign Ministry’s Statement

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that “the Armenian leadership had in recent days taken a series of unfriendly steps.”

These included “U.S. military drills on Armenian territory,” a trip to Kyiv by the Armenian prime minister’s wife and Yerevan’s move to join the International Criminal Court (ICC), it added.

“Tough Presentation” for Armenian Envoy

Moscow’s Foreign Ministry said the Armenian envoy was given a “tough presentation.”

Despite the summoning, the Foreign Ministry stressed that Russia and Armenia “remain allies and all agreements on developing the strengthening of the partnership will be fulfilled.”

Russia’s Role Questioned by Former Allies

Russia deployed peacekeepers to Karabakh as part of a Moscow-brokered deal to end a 2020 war between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Many of Russia’s traditional allies in the ex-Soviet space have questioned Moscow’s role after its full-scale Ukraine offensive.