Zakharova calls French Foreign Minister’s statement disrespectful to Armenia

 
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova during a press briefing on Friday called the statement by French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné, who accused Russia of trying to put pressure on Armenia and promised to develop military and technical cooperation with Armenia, disrespectful to Armenia. 

“It is surprising that our allies, brothers, partners, neighbors, friends—I mean, the political leadership, officials, and public representatives of Armenia—do not react to this. This was said, I understand, on the territory of Armenia,” she said, adding that if someone said a similar thing against Russia’s friends, Russia would have found a way to call them out. Zakharova also accused the French foreign minister of ignorance of history and traditions.

“In my opinion, in relation to Russia, what he said was ignorant and foolish, and in relation to Armenia, the country he was visiting, it was disrespectful,” Zakharova said.

She accused the West of pitting the countries of the region against each other and being unwilling to separate the conflicting sides.