Armenia
Tuesday 29 September 2020
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![Kim Kardashian West]()
Kim Kardashian West
Reality TV star
“Azerbaijan has threatened to bomb the nuclear power plant in Armenia.”
Read more...Azerbaijan’s military did state that it would attack the Metsamor nuclear plant – but only in retaliation for an Armenian attack on its gas and oil facilities. -
![Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]()
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
President, Turkey
“We are saddened that a slander against our country is being accepted by a country’s parliament. We would consider this accusation the biggest insult towards our nation.”
Read more...Despite Turkey’s denial, the Ottoman Empire’s mass killing, deportation and starvation of the Armenians in the 20th Century is a well-documented historic event widely recognized as genocide. -
![Dmitry Peskov]()
Dmitry Peskov
Kremlin spokesperson
“The Russian side knows nothing about Giuliani’s participation [in an Eurasian Economic Union Supreme Council forum in Armenia], [or] the cancellation of his participation.”
Read more...In accordance with an agreement signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, a commission in Russia decides who will be invited to participate in and speak at meetings of the Eurasia Economic Union (EAEU) Supreme Council. -
![Dmitry Medvedev]()
Dmitry Medvedev
Russian Prime Minister
“Probably, the level of integration in the CIS format is not the same as in the Eurasian Union... But this is a common story. These are, as we say, variable-speed tracks of integration.”
Read more...Looking at all of Russia’s main trading partners, only one has seen the share of trade dramatically increase over the past decade. -
![Sergei Nosov]()
Sergei Nosov
Governor of Russia's Magadan region
“I note that we’ve never, even in the days of tsarist Russia, killed people for dissent. This, by the way, is the great strength of our people.”
Read more...Tsarist Russia and the Soviet Union have persecuted dissidents, sometimes using capital punishment. Modern Russia has abolished the death penalty, although a number of dissidents and journalists have been murdered, their cases remaining unsolved. -
![Leonid Slutsky]()
Leonid Slutsky
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the State Duma
“It’s a provocation, specifically to coerce the Russian delegation to slam the door and pull out of PACE.”
Read more...The Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly's letter sent to Russia and all other member states proved Slutsky’s claim was false. The letter said all PACE delegations should include at least “one member of the under-represented sex appointed as a representative.” -
![Talal Naji]()
Talal Naji
Deputy General Secretary of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine
“We love and are proud of President Vladimir Putin, because he is a friend of Palestine and not only Palestine, but all the people who are seeking freedom. President Putin succeeded in restoring Russia’s authority in the international arena and forced all to respect Russia.”
Read more...Independent polls show trust and respect for Russia and its president has significantly decreased globally. Under Vladimir Putin’s leadership, Russia has suppressed insurgencies in Chechnya and in Syria. Moscow has lost its membership or voting privileges in multiple international organizations. -
![Eduard Sharmazanov]()
Eduard Sharmazanov
Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly, press secretary of the Republican Party, Armenia
“Manvel Grigoryan does not accept fabricated charges against him.”
Read more...The evidence presented by the Armenian security service against General Manvel Grigoryan was sufficient for his colleagues at the Parliament to strip him off his parliamentary immunity, for the Republican Party to call his actions “disgusting” and for his son to resign from the office of the mayor of Grigoryan’s home city. -
![Semyon Slepakov]()
Semyon Slepakov
Russian TV Comedy host and singer
“Russia is ready to host the World Cup. The stadiums are open. The cops are polyglots. That is a quick recap of many years of work.We're not going to lose face in front of the planet. It’s not for nothing we terrified [the planet] with a missile. In general, all is well. But there is only one “but”: Our team, frankly, is sh-t.”
Read more...The International Federation of Football Association, the world soccer authority better known as FIFA, ranked Russia’s national team #70 and labeled it a “worst mover.” -
![Leonid Slutsky]()
Leonid Slutsky
Chairman of the Russian State Duma’s Foreign Affairs Committee
“I have no doubt that in terms of cooperation with Moscow, as well as within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union, full continuity will be maintained. Russia for many years has been Armenia’s strategic ally, and there are no factors for any changes.”
Read more...Thousands of Armenians protested against ex-President Sargsyan’s appointment as the Prime Minister. Hundreds were arrested in rallies over 11 days. 63-year old Sargsyan, yielding to the pressure, resigned on Monday. Chairman of Russia’s Foreign Affairs Committee Leonid Slutksy commented, “Russia for many years has been Armenia’s strategic ally, and there will be no changes.” Armenia depends on Russia militarily, politically and economically; thus, current political turmoil in Yerevan will not affect cooperation with Moscow -
![Maria Zakharova]()
Maria Zakharova
Press secretary, Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
“The issue, however, is that not granting visas to our athletes is a flagrant violation by the United States of its obligations as the state hosting international competitions. We are talking about a direct and overt discrimination against the team of one of the participating nations.”
Read more...Following Russia’s order, the United States reduced their consular staff in Russia from 1,210 to 455 consequently reducing the visa processing ability and increasing the waiting times. The head of Russia’s Freestyle Wrestling Federation said the U.S. Embassy advised the team members go to the American embassy in Armenia for interviews to expedite the processing. -
![Leonid Ivashov]()
Leonid Ivashov
a former top Russian defense ministry official
“It indicates that they, the Americans in the first place, are preparing to start a war in Europe, and you can wage a war in Europe against Russia only.”
Read more...NATO’s recent deployments in Eastern Europe are minuscule compared to Russia’s capabilities on its western flank and would be insufficient for a successful attack on -- or a war with -- Russia. Rather, the U.S. and NATO are enhancing the deterrence posture and collective defense of NATO members.
