The #Kremlin expects #Yerevan to provide certain assurances regarding the possible arrest of #Russian President Vladimir #Putin under an International Criminal Court (#ICC) warrant.
#Peskov's words came after #Armenian Prime Minister Nikol #Pashinyan said that he was not the one to decide on the possible arrest of the Russian president, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court, if he visited #Armenia.
#Armenia can no longer rely on #Russia as its main defence and military partner because #Moscow has repeatedly let it down so #Yerevan must think about forging closer ties with the #US and #France, Prime Minister Nikol #Pashinyan said.
Armenia, has long relied on Russia as a big power ally and hosts a Russian military base in Gyumri, about 90 km (55 miles) northwest of the capital, and other facilities.
Armenia is not considering quitting the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (#CSTO), a senior official in #Yerevan said on November 23, despite Yerevan's decision not to attend a CSTO summit in Minsk on November 23.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on November 23 that Yerevan's decision not to attend the CSTO summit was not in the "long-term interests of the Armenian people"
#Armenia has formally handed in its request to join the International Criminal Court (#ICC) and will become a member in February, The #Hague-based tribunal announced on November 17. #Yerevan last month signed the ratification of the Rome Statute that recognizes the ICC's jurisdiction.
#Armenia's president has signed the Rome Statute that governs the International Criminal Court, a move that further strains ties between #Yerevan and its old ally Russia.
The ratification comes as relations between Armenia and its old ally Russia sour over Yerevan's anger at perceived Russian inaction to protect ethnic Armenians in what used to be the breakaway region of #Nagorno-#Karabakh in #Azerbaijan.
The Caucasus is an amazing region - the scenery is amazing, the differing histories are fascinating, and the wine is very drinkable!
Although Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan are often grouped together, they are each very different, and have very different political outlooks.