Zakharova on Armenian Drivers' Protests

Russia is committed to swiftly addressing the concerns raised by truck drivers, including Armenians, regarding the new immigration policies in Russia. This was stated by Maria Zakharova, the special representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, during a press briefing discussing the new immigration regulations in Russia and the protests held by Armenian truck drivers in this regard.

However, she was unable to specify a concrete timeline for resolving the issue. “From what you’ve said, there are rallies being held in Armenia not only by truck drivers but also for other issues. It seems that this is not the only problem. As for the issue of truck drivers, the relevant authorities in Russia, namely the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Transport, are handling it,” she noted.

It should be mentioned that Armenian truck drivers have faced challenges entering Russia due to changes in immigration legislation. Starting January 1, 2025, foreigners can stay in Russia for no more than 90 days within a calendar year without a visa. This has led to entry restrictions for drivers, as the several days spent waiting in line and traffic disruptions in the Russian Federation consume this limit more quickly than before.

Following the protests by truck drivers, Armenia’s Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan announced that the Armenian government has officially appealed to the Russian government to change the restrictions on Armenian transport companies' truck drivers. He stated that the Armenian side has proposed to their Russian counterparts to extend the established 90-day stay limit in Russia to 180 days.