Zakhrova on the Release of Ruben Vardanyan

Ruben Vardanyan has publicly renounced his Russian citizenship. This was announced during a weekly press briefing by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, in response to a question about whether the Russian side is discussing the issue of Ruben Vardanyan's release.

“You know, I have not seen whether the issue of Ruben Vardanyan, who is not a citizen of the Republic of Armenia, being held in an Azerbaijani prison has been raised during Armenian-Azerbaijani communications. Now, if you provide me with this information, it would be very interesting and useful for me to know about it. I remind you once again that Ruben Vardanyan has rejected his Russian citizenship and has done so publicly. Therefore, such questions should be directed to Baku and Yerevan,” Zakharova stated.

She emphasized that, in general, the Russian Federation has always supported the implementation of trilateral agreements, the key element of which is the release of all detained persons. “I have not seen whether the issue of Ruben Vardanyan's release has been raised during Armenian-Azerbaijani communications,” Zakharova noted during the briefing. The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry recalled that Ruben Vardanyan has renounced his Russian citizenship, reiterating, “I believe this question should be sent to Yerevan and Baku.”

“In general, the Russian Federation has always advocated for the implementation of trilateral agreements, the key component of which is the release of all detained persons,” she added.