Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a note of protest to Armenia following an Armenian delegation’s visit to Bucha, Ukraine. The visit, which took place in early June, included Armenian Ambassador to Ukraine Vladimir Karapetyan and Tigran Ter-Margaryan, head of the Nor Nork district of Yerevan. They met with Bucha’s Mayor Anatolii Fedoruk to discuss potential cooperation between Bucha and Nor Nork. During their visit, the Armenian representatives laid flowers at a memorial for the victims and delivered humanitarian aid, including medicines.
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated that Moscow views this visit as an “unfriendly step” due to the Armenian delegation’s transfer of aid to Ukraine’s Armed Forces and statements made during their visit that were perceived as critical of Russia. Zakharova emphasized that the protest note reflects Russia’s discontent with what it considers unacceptable actions by Armenian officials.
The backdrop to this diplomatic tension includes the history of Bucha, which became a significant symbol of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. After Russian troops withdrew from Bucha in March 2022, the town revealed extensive damage and numerous alleged war crimes, including mass graves and summary executions. These events have been widely reported and documented by international organizations and media, although reactions within Russia have been mixed, with some dismissing the reports as fabricated.
Recent strains in Armenian-Russian relations, especially following incidents related to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, further contextualize this development. The growing rift has led to increased diplomatic sensitivities and reactions to actions perceived as aligning with Ukrainian interests.
Overall, the incident underscores the complex and sensitive nature of regional politics and international relations involving Russia, Armenia, and Ukraine.
