“It’s a Cheap Bait”: Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Comments on Reports of Discontent with Armenia’s Ambassador in Moscow

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is fully satisfied with the level of cooperation with Armenia's Ambassador Vagharchak Harutyunyan. This was reported by a source at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Sputnik Armenia, commenting on the publication of the August 3 article in the newspaper 'Hraparak,' which claimed that the Russian side was discontent with the work of the Armenian ambassador in Russia, and that the Russian ambassador in Armenia would soon be replaced.

“This is nothing more than a cheap bait. Someone probably wants to advance their interests at the expense of Russian-Armenian relations. Of course, the change of Armenia’s ambassador in Russia is an exclusive prerogative of Yerevan, however, the Russian side is completely satisfied with the level of cooperation with Vagharchak Harutyunyan,” the source said.

Furthermore, Russia currently has no plans to appoint a new head of its diplomatic mission in Armenia.

Recently, the newspaper ‘Hraparak’ reported that Armenian authorities are discussing the issue of replacing the Armenian ambassador in Russia, due to alleged dissatisfaction from Moscow. It was also noted that the question of replacing Vagharchak Harutyunyan has been under discussion for a long time. Armenia wants to send Gurgen Arsenyan, a member of the National Assembly’s 'Civil Contract' faction, to Moscow as his replacement.

It is worth mentioning that Vagharchak Harutyunyan was appointed as Armenia’s ambassador in Russia on January 5, 2022.