Russian Ambassador summoned to Armenia’s Foreign Ministry over Solovyov’s remarks

On January 12, Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergey Kopyrkin was summoned to the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he was handed a note of protest over statements made by Vladimir Solovyov. The information was reported by Novosti Armenia, citing the Armenian Foreign Ministry.

According to the Armenian side, such statements constitute an unacceptable encroachment on the country’s sovereignty, represent hostile actions, and seriously violate the fundamental principles of friendly relations between Armenia and Russia.

“The Russian ambassador to Armenia was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was handed a note expressing strong protest in connection with statements aired on Russian state television. It was emphasized that these remarks amount to an impermissible infringement on the sovereignty of the Republic of Armenia, constitute hostile conduct, and grossly violate the basic principles of friendly relations between Armenia and Russia,” said Ani Badalyan, spokesperson for the Armenian Foreign Ministry.

As reported earlier, Russian television host and journalist Vladimir Solovyov stated that developments not only in Armenia but also in Central Asia are, in his view, more painful for Russia than events in Venezuela.

He suggested that, from the perspective of national security, Russia could launch a “special military operation,” similar to that in Ukraine, in other territories within what he described as its “sphere of influence.”

So far, none of the Central Asian countries have issued an official response to the remarks.

It is worth noting that earlier, Bobur Bekmurodov, chairman of the Yuksalish nationwide movement and a deputy of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan, commented on Solovyov’s statements, calling them “nonsense” and referring to Solovyov himself as a “copy.”