Ukraine emerges as a source of tension between Moscow and Yerevan.
Tensions between Russia and Armenia have worsened due to a diplomatic dispute relating to Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
Officially, Russia has sent a complaint to Armenia's foreign ministry after officials from Armenia visited the Ukrainian city of Bucha, as mentioned by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on her Telegram channel. The visit was deemed a "hostile act" by Moscow.
Bucha, a suburb of Kiev, became a focus of global attention when over 400 civilian bodies were found there following the departure of Russian troops in March 2022—presumed victims of Russian occupation forces. Armenian representatives had recently paid a visit to Bucha, voicing solidarity with Ukraine against "Russian aggression." Among the group was Armenia's ambassador to Kiev, Vladimir Karapetian.
Russia has historically regarded Armenia as its protector and maintains a military base in the former Soviet republic in the Caucasus. Relations have grown tense since the installation of the pro-Western government of Nikol Pashinyan in Yerevan.
The Armenian government perceived a sense of neglect by Russia during its war with Azerbaijan over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Since being defeated in the conflict, Armenia has been reassessing its membership in the Moscow-led military alliance, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).
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Moscow strongly criticized Armenia for sending officers to Bucha, a point of contention between the two countries due to Russia's aggression against Ukraine. This visit, as mentioned by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, was viewed as a hostile act by Moscow, further straining relations between the two nations.
Amidst the tension, Armenia's ambassador to Kiev, Vladimir Karapetian, visited Bucha alongside other Armenian representatives, expressing solidarity with Ukraine against Russian aggression. This visit to the suburb, which gained global attention for the discovery of over 400 civilian bodies following the departure of Russian troops, added another layer of complexity to the already strained relations between Russia and Armenia.
The Armenian government's decision to send representatives to Bucha could be interpreted as a move to distance itself from Moscow, given Russia's historical protection of Armenia and the ongoing disagreements over Ukraine. This choice could potentially signal a shift in Armenia's foreign policy, a development that is being closely watched by both Russia and other international stakeholders.
