Russian State Duma Deputy Speaker Pyotr Tolstoy has stated that the special migration privileges currently granted to Armenian citizens in Russia are based on the allied relationship between Moscow and Yerevan.
According to Tolstoy, if Armenia’s status as a strategic ally changes or is reconsidered, the existing benefits could also be revoked.
The Russian official noted that Armenian citizens currently enjoy several advantages in Russia, including longer stays without registration requirements and simplified employment procedures.
“If that status no longer exists, or if it is revised at the initiative of Armenia’s political leadership, then naturally such privileges will be canceled, and Armenian citizens will fall under the general migration regime applied to all foreign nationals in Russia,” Tolstoy said.
At the same time, he expressed disappointment over what he described as anti-Russian rhetoric from the political team of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
Tolstoy added that he does not believe such statements will bring additional support among Armenian voters and stressed that Russia would not want bilateral relations to continue developing in that direction.
