23 September 2024
Russia has issued a thinly veiled threat ‘reminding’ Armenia of its dependence on Russian grain, two weeks after Armenia participated in a Ukraine-focused food security conference.
On Friday, Russian Foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova criticised Armenia’s participation in a forum on food security as part of the Ukrainian Peace Formula in September.
‘If people are interested in food security, they should proceed from the fact that their country has food security’, said Zakharova, adding that 90% of Armenia’s grain imports are from Russia.
‘Maybe it would be better to contact Russia via video conference to discuss your food security? That would be honest and respectful. Why engage in fraud behind the backs of those who feed you and ensure food security?’ she said.
Armenia’s Security Council Secretary, Armen Grigoryan, had participated remotely in the conference in early September.
It followed the first Summit on Peace in Ukraine hosted by Switzerland in June, which Grigoryan also attended. The summit aimed at developing a ‘common understanding of a path towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine’.
She additionally criticised the summit in June, saying that its ‘only goal’ was to bring together or prevent ‘the collapse of the anti-Russian coalition’, adding that ‘resolving the conflict without Russia’s participation is impossible’.
Her remarks came against the backdrop of deteriorating relations between Armenia and Russia, its traditional ally, with Yerevan developing security and economic ties with the West, while still maintaining a high economic dependence on Russia.
Armenia has also appeared to move closer to Ukraine as its ties with Russia have worsened, with several high-ranking officials taking part in Ukraine-sponsored events and summits, and Armenia sending a delegation to Bucha in June. Armenia also sent its first humanitarian aid package to Ukraine in 2023.
