14:00 News in Brief: Tsarukyan on 'Cemzavod' and 'Nerves', Zakharova's Hard Response

News from the past hour summarized and substantial.

• Gagik Tsarukyan stated that Nikol Pashinyan's recent behavior indicates a decline in the government's rating and a deepening of political problems. He emphasized that the authorities understand that they no longer have previous support, which is why they have resorted to more aggressive rhetoric.
• The BBP leader also addressed discussions regarding his family's wealth, pointing out that the topic of the property of Karapet Guloyan and his daughter is being exploited for political purposes. According to Tsarukyan, all assets were acquired legally, and the authorities have only remembered these issues after years.
• MP Arman Yeghoyan from the CP announced that the potential Russian citizenship of Narek Karapetyan requires serious investigation. He stated that if the data from the Russian public registry is accurate, it could raise legal issues when registering as a candidate for the parliament.
• Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan criticized the statements of the 'Strong Armenia' party, emphasizing that mental health centers and the citizens receiving treatment there should not become subjects of political exploitation.
• The 'Everyone Against' movement organized a new protest in front of the government building, claiming they are the only force fighting without expectations for positions or financial gains. During the protest, police removed the gate designated for the event.
• Alen Simonian stated during the broadcast that if he were forced to live on an uninhabited island for a year, he would take opposition MP Garnik Danielyan with him, noting that Danielyan is a pleasant and interesting conversationalist.
• Starting June 1, a new system will be implemented in Russia for imported goods from EAEU countries, according to which shipments cannot enter the territory of the Russian Federation without confirmation via QR code. This new regulation also applies to goods exported from Armenia.
• The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs reported that over 531,000 people have already benefited from the 20% retroactive pension and benefit payment program. Under this program, around 47.6 billion drams have been transferred to beneficiaries.
• Maria Zakharova, a representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated that Western claims about a Russian campaign against Pashinyan are 'cynical'. She noted that the causes of Armenia’s internal political problems are Pashinyan's actions rather than Russia.
• Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to the President of Ukraine, announced that elections in Ukraine could be held in the spring of 2027 if Russia agrees to cease hostilities along the front line.