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\t\t\t\tFrom Cognac to Apricots: These Armenian Products Are Now Off-Limits in Russia
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In a pointed remark, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in May: “We all see what is happening with Ukraine now…How did it all begin? With Ukraine’s attempt to join the EU.”<\/p>\n
The Kremlin has been accused of seeking to sway the vote in Armenia.<\/p>\n
Analysts have noted misinformation on the web, hacker activity and Kremlin-friendly narratives portraying Western cooperation as dangerous.<\/p>\n
In the weeks before the vote, Russia banned the import of several products from Armenia, seen as a move to heap economic pressure on the country.<\/p>\n
And Armenian officials have warned that “enemies of freedom” are funding propaganda efforts.<\/p>\n
‘Reckless rush’\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pashinyan has insisted he does not want a rupture with Moscow. But the campaign is a battle over Armenia’s geopolitical future.<\/p>\n
Pashinyan and his chief opponents have all accused each other of risking a fresh conflict.<\/p>\n
Pashinyan told voters Armenia could face a “catastrophic war” with Azerbaijan within months if his Civil Contract party \u2014 leading in opinion polls \u2014 fails to secure a strong majority.<\/p>\n
His opponents say that rhetoric is fearmongering.<\/p>\n
Samvel Karapetyan, a billionaire Russian-Armenian businessman whose Strong Armenia party is polling second, has rejected claims he would drag Armenia back into Russia’s orbit, but warned against Pashinyan’s “reckless rush” to the West.<\/p>\n
“Russia has been and will remain our strategic partner and principal economic partner,” he said.<\/p>\n
Karapetyan has been under house arrest since last year on charges of plotting a coup \u2014 allegations he rejects as politically motivated.<\/p>\n
\t\topinion \t\t\t\tPutin Dishes Out Economic Warfare \u2013 But Can’t Take It Europe has made little secret of who it wants to win.<\/p>\n In a high-profile visit in May, French President Emmanuel Macron threw his support behind Pashinyan, embracing the Armenian leader as a dear friend.<\/p>\n At an evening reception, Macron took to the microphone and Pashinyan to the drums for a rendition of “La Boheme,” the 1965 classic by the late\u00a0French-Armenian singer Charles Aznavour.<\/p>\n ‘Voted for peace’<\/p>\n It remains unclear whether Pashinyan’s party can secure the two-thirds parliamentary majority needed to pass constitutional amendments, which Azerbaijan has demanded as a condition for a final peace treaty.<\/p>\n Pashinyan’s democratic record is also on the ballot paper.<\/p>\n \t\topinion \t\t\t\tRussia Wants Armenia Back in the Fold. It May Be Too Late. Eight years after he swept to power on a promise to dismantle Armenia’s oligarchic system, he faces increasing accusations of democratic backsliding.<\/p>\n Still, for many Armenians, the opposition remains associated with Russian influence and oligarchs.<\/p>\n “I voted for peace. Only Pashinyan can bring peace,” one voter, 63-year-old craftsman Hakob Hakobyan, told AFP.<\/p>\n Another voter, Khachatur Movsisyan, a 59-year-old mechanical engineer, said he had backed an opposition party “because the country, and all of us, need change in foreign policy, domestic policy and in negotiations with Azerbaijan.”<\/p>\n A Message from The Moscow Times:<\/strong><\/p>\n Dear readers,<\/p>\n We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has designated The Moscow Times as an “undesirable” organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a “foreign agent.”<\/p>\n These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work “discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership.” We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.<\/p>\n We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help<\/a>.<\/p>\n Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It’s quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.<\/p>\n By supporting The Moscow Times, you’re defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tContinue\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t Not ready to support today? \u00d7<\/p>\n \t\tRemind me next month<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\t\t\tThank you! Your reminder is set.\n\t\t<\/p>\n
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Remind me later.<\/p>\n