Pro-government MP accuses Russian FM of pushing Armenia towards destruction

YEREVAN, September 11. /ARKA/. A pro-government member of Armenian parliament accused today Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov of ‘pushing Armenia towards destruction.’

Gagik Melkonyan, an MP from PM Pashinyan's Civil Contract party, told a press briefing in parliament,’

"Lavrov wants to lead our country to destruction. Have you seen any of his programs that would be in favor of Armenian? Russia has always decided for us, told us where to go, who to be friends with," he said.

Melkonyan emphasized that Armenia should rely on itself, but at the same time look for friends.

"Until now, we have pinned our hopes on Russia, which would present Armenia with conditions: We had a choice- Russia or Turkey. We chose Russia, but there are other countries with whom we should be friends: India, European countries, the United States, Iran," he said.

In the MP's opinion, there is no point in relying on the CSTO or Russia, after they did not react to Azerbaijani aggression against Armenia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The day before, Lavrov said at a press briefing on the sidelines of the G20 summit that some statements made by Armenian politicians that Moscow "surrenders» Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan were incorrect.

He also noted that Russia regrets the Armenian leadership's intention to hold military exercises with the United States and expressed hope that allied commitments toward Moscow will prevail in Armenia's foreign policy. -0-