I Wouldn't Even Go to Armenia Under This Government, Simonian Responds to Pashinyan

This government is not one I would have even gone to Armenia under. This was stated by Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of the media group "Russia Today" and RT channel.

Pashinyan had said that Armenia has the right to expect respect towards itself, and that those who speak out and claim that Armenia has promised a corridor should give that corridor should be declared undesirable in Armenia.

Recently, undesirable persons in Armenia have included State Duma deputy Konstantin Zatulin, known for his pro-Armenian stance; Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of RT and Sputnik; and media manager Aram Gabrelyanov. Pashinyan did not specify who else is included in the "black list," stating that the competent authorities are dealing with that issue.

“I have never said anything about any corridor; rather, I have spoken and will speak personally about Pashinyan, that he has betrayed the Armenian people, that he has betrayed all of Armenia's interests and sold them, and that he will sell and betray what he has not yet managed to,” stated Simonyan. “He hates Russia and deceives Putin,” she added.

She pointed out that it was for this statement her entry into Armenia was closed, which she had spoken about as early as summer. At the same time, Simonyan noted that the ban does not concern her much, as she was not planning to travel to Armenia anyway. Simonyan admitted that she had only been to Armenia twice, at the age of 25 while working in Putin's administration and at 35 when she came to meet her husband Tigran Keosayan's relatives.

Simonyan emphasized that under the current authorities, she would not have come to Armenia under any circumstances. “However, what confuses me is the wording with which my entry has been banned: 'for disrespectful behavior.' There must be a qualification for disrespectful behavior,” stated the RT editor-in-chief, adding that the wording should be changed to: “Margarita Simonyan’s entry to Armenia is closed due to disgust towards the current government.”

It should be noted that the issue of bans was also recently commented on in the Kremlin. Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov stated that he opposes such decisions. Nevertheless, he expressed hope that the bilateral relations between Russia and Armenia would be free from such incidents in the foreseeable future.