Armenia has sent a notice to terminate the activities of the border guards of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) at Zvartnots international airport in the Caucasus country's capital Yerevan.
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| Zvartnots International Airport in Armenia's capital Yerevan. (Source: Radio of Armenia) |
The news was announced by Secretary of the Armenian Security Council Armen Grigoryan, as quoted by the Armenian news agency Armenpress .
“Armenia has sent an official letter to the Russian Federation with a clear position. We have announced that the Armenian border troops will take responsibility at the Zvartnots airport,” Grigoryan said.
The official added that during this period of independence, his country has acquired capabilities in various fields and at the present time , "Armenia has full control over the airport."
Earlier, Armenian Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan said he believed it was appropriate for Russian border guards to leave.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow has not yet received any requests from Armenia regarding this issue.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the country considers statements regarding the withdrawal of border guards from Zvartnots airport an "example" of Armenia's unfriendly move.
Ms. Zakharova assured that Russia is always committed to "respecting the national laws of sovereign states".
Through a decades-old agreement between Yerevan and Moscow, Russian troops now guard Armenia's borders with Türkiye and Iran, as well as patrol security at Zvartnots airport.
The latest move comes as Armenia increasingly distances itself from its traditional allies.
In February, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced the temporary suspension of the country's membership in the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), accusing the military alliance of failing to implement the collective security agreement for Yerevan, especially in 2021-2022.
Russia has asked Armenia to clarify this action.
However, Armenian Security Council Secretary Grigoryan said that Russia should clarify its position as a CSTO member, instead of asking Armenia to clarify those things.
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