The withdrawal of Russian border guards from Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan does not meet Armenia's security interests. This was stated by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova at a briefing on March 13, reports Lenta.ru.
"The mentioned announcement (about the withdrawal of Russian military from Zvartnots airport) was made by the Armenian side against the background of a series of unfriendly steps and statements by official Yerevan. Such an initiative is unlikely to meet Armenia's security interests and those of its citizens," she said.
The diplomat added that Russian and Armenian border guards have been jointly performing various tasks for a long time.
According to the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Russia has not received notifications from Armenia about the withdrawal of Russian border guards from Zvartnots airport through diplomatic channels.
"We proceed from the assumption that all decisions will be made based on the results of interdepartmental elaboration," Zakharova said, according to RIA Novosti.
Earlier, BMG reported that Russia received notification from Armenia about the cessation of work of Russian border guards at Zvartnots airport. This was announced by the press secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov.
At a press conference on March 12, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that Armenian border troops sent a letter of gratitude to Russian border guards stationed in the territory of the Republic of Armenia.
The letter informed Russian border guards that the Armenian border service has gained sufficient experience, skills, and knowledge to independently perform duties at Zvartnots airport and does not require further support from Russia.
