Russia Reacts to Armenia’s UN Vote on Ukrain

Russia Reacts to Armenia’s UN Vote on Ukraine Resolution

Armenia’s recent vote in favor of a United Nations resolution that criticizes Russia’s military actions in Ukraine has drawn a measured response from Russian officials. The resolution, which focuses on cooperation between the UN and the Council of Europe, includes language condemning Russia’s aggression. Armenia, along with Georgia and Slovakia, supported the document.

Svetlana Zhurova, Deputy Chair of the Russian State Duma’s International Affairs Committee, commented on the matter in an interview with Lenta.ru. She stated that such votes should not be viewed solely as a stance against Russia. Instead, she suggested that countries like Armenia may have found elements within the resolution that aligned with their own interests.

Russian Official Suggests Broader Context for Armenia’s Vote

Zhurova emphasized that multilateral resolutions often contain a mix of provisions, and some may have been beneficial for Armenia and similar states. “It seems that there were many provisions protecting the interests of these countries,” she explained, noting that nations sometimes support documents due to specific advantageous clauses, despite potential disagreements with other parts of the text.

While the resolution does include criticism of Russia’s actions in Ukraine, Zhurova argued that it is likely these clauses were embedded within a broader document that Armenia and others found generally useful. She rejected the notion that Armenia’s vote reflects a strategic shift against Moscow.

Condemnation of Accusations Against Russia

Zhurova made it clear that any criticism of Russia at international institutions such as the UN is, in her view, “unacceptable.” She reiterated her opposition to what she described as biased narratives. “Apparently, someone inserted wording that disguised Russia as the aggressor,” she noted, suggesting this may have been a political tactic within the drafting process.

Her comments reflect Russia’s broader approach to international criticism, particularly from former Soviet states. While the Kremlin has taken a firm stance against what it perceives as Western influence in post-Soviet countries, it has also sought to maintain ties with neighbors like Armenia, especially during times of diplomatic friction.

Armenia’s Vote: Strategic, Not Symbolic

Armenia’s decision to support the resolution comes at a time of increased geopolitical balancing. With growing engagement from Western institutions and shifting regional alliances, Armenia’s vote may signal a calculated effort to align with international norms while managing its relationship with Russia.

This development underscores the complexities of Armenia’s foreign policy, which has increasingly moved toward European cooperation without fully severing strategic ties with Moscow. The pragmatic tone of Zhurova’s response suggests that Russia recognizes these nuances, even if it remains publicly critical of the vote.