Zakharova's comments about Yerevan's "anti-Russian course" sparked controversy on social media.

Many Facebook* users found Maria Zakharova's dissatisfaction with Armenia's refusal to allow Russian observers to observe the parliamentary elections inappropriate. Their opponents supported the Russian government's narrative of Western influence on Yerevan's policies.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," on May 28, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that "observers from Russia are being denied the right to observe the elections" to the Armenian parliament. She acknowledged that Russian candidates for CIS observers "are on the European Union's sanctions list," but accused Yerevan of "bending over" to the EU. According to her, Moscow "is not ready to accept this logic." "We will be forced to take it into account in our future work with Yerevan," Zakharova stated.

Facebook* users had left over 2,000 comments under the "Caucasian Knot" post about Zakharova's statement as of 12:55 p.m. Moscow time on June 1. The "Caucasian Knot" invites readers to participate in the discussion and express their opinions on the "Caucasian Knot" social media pages Instagram* and Facebook*.

The discussion participants mainly debated not so much the composition of the observer mission, but the nature of relations between Armenia and Russia. Many perceived Yerevan's decision as a manifestation of independence and an attempt to revise the previous format of the alliance.

"Armenia is a small country, looking for a partner that can turn to for help in difficult times, but here Armenia is bad, a hypocrite, and so on," wrote Aren Yan.

"Armenia also takes into account everything Russia has done to it. "Take care of your own country!" urged Narine Movsesyan. "Trust and Russia simply cannot be summed up in the same phrase," said Armen Fahradyan.

"In Armenia, the Armenians themselves will decide who to let into their country and who not. Especially since the Russians are always trying to dictate elections, not observe them," said Lidia Milicenco.

"Who to let into one's country and who not is the exclusive right of a sovereign, independent state," wrote Oleksiy Davydov. "Armenians will choose their own path and who to befriend – that's democracy," declared Nail Umarov.

Mind your own business and don't meddle in other countries' affairs.

"You have your own affairs to deal with, mind your own business and don't meddle in other countries' affairs unless you're asked," Արմեն Մադոյան wrote in absentia to the Russian authorities.

Some users linked the Armenian authorities' decision to the aftermath of the Karabakh war and the crisis of trust in Moscow. In their view, it was Russia's policy in the region that pushed Yerevan to seek new partners.

"Russia betrayed Armenia during the war," wrote David Congress. "You betrayed us when Azerbaijan attacked Armenia," declared Inga Sarkisyan. "We thought you were sincere, but it turns out the Armenian people were mistaken. You deceived an entire nation," wrote Smbat Movses.

Don't confuse the Kremlin with Russia

Some users tried to separate attitudes toward the Russian state from attitudes toward Russian citizens. "This isn't an anti-Russian gesture, but an anti-Kremlin one. Don't confuse the Kremlin with Russia," wrote Garri Hakobyan.

"We Armenians are always loyal, we value the Russian people and all the peoples of other countries who trust us," stated Anna Frangulyan. "We have no complaints against the people, but against your government," noted Gary Shah.

"Armenia is not against Russia. Armenia doesn't trust the Kremlin." "This is my personal opinion," wrote Melena Lahnsteiner-Majljan.

At the same time, some users with Russian surnames supported Moscow's position and expressed the opinion that refusing to cooperate with Russia could have consequences for Armenia. "Without a strategic ally like Russia, Armenia will be in a bad way. Everyone will understand this when the euphoria subsides and harsh reality sets in," stated Alexey Shipovsky.

"Armenia is kaput without Russia," wrote Nikolay Minkov. "Russia can replace Armenia, but Armenia cannot replace Russia," believes Alexey Chistyakov.

There's no need to look for problems in others; it's better to think about why people are turning away.

Some users saw the situation as a problem with Russia's relations with neighboring countries. "There's no need to look for problems in others. Instead, think about why people are turning away from us. Maybe you should change your attitude toward everyone?" Sasha Gasanov wrote.

"Why do all your former partners dream of getting rid of you? Why does no one want to be with you?" Irma Sokhadze appealed to the Russian authorities in absentia.

"You can't force someone to love and respect you through blackmail," Slava Koval opined. "Everyone is rejecting their 'friendship' with their older brother," Gherciu Mihail wrote.

A number of users, on the contrary, considered the Armenian authorities' decision a manifestation of political dependence on the West. They supported Maria Zakharova's statements about the influence of European structures on Yerevan.

"Brussels will win; they know how to do that. They installed one politician in Romania, another in Moldova, and the same in Armenia," wrote Nurlan Baitasov. "Europe is deciding who to befriend and what Yerevan will eat," opined Alexander Prossov.

Supporters of Pashinyan's rivals are being persecuted

As a reminder, opposition supporters are being persecuted amid the campaign that began on May 8. On May 16, security forces detained 10 supporters of the Strong Armenia party, suspected of obstructing the election campaign of the ruling party's representatives in the Lori region. On May 18, six people were taken into custody in connection with this criminal case, and another was placed under house arrest. The following day, three more supporters of the "Strong Armenia" bloc were placed under house arrest.

On May 22, NSS officers conducted searches at the office of the Mother Armenia party and the apartment of its leader, Andranik Tevanyan, who is second on the Prosperous Armenia party's list of candidates. The court remanded Tevanyan in custody for two months, allowing him to participate in the election process through representatives.

Tevanyan's detention followed a statement made by Pashinyan on May 20 during the election campaign. The prime minister stated that the National Security Service would send the materials of Andranik Tevanyan's criminal prosecution for treason to the Investigative Committee. The following day, the Investigative Committee announced that criminal proceedings had been initiated against Tevanyan on charges of treason and espionage. According to investigators, Tevanyan, in 2024, for a fee of $622,000, passed information from a closed parliamentary session containing state secrets to a foreign intelligence service. Tevanyan called the charges "ridiculous," explaining that he resigned from his parliamentary powers in 2023 and could not have participated in closed parliamentary hearings in 2024.

On May 26, security forces conducted a search of the Prosperous Armenia Party office in Vanadzor. As a result, 10 people were detained. They are accused of giving and receiving campaign bribes.

It should be noted that the opposition's fragmentation has not diminished amid the campaign and increased pressure: the main opposition parties are fighting for votes and political leadership. Representatives of the Strong Armenia party and the Armenia bloc emphasized the importance of partnership with Russia, but emphasized the need for the country to pursue an independent policy.

The June elections will effectively be a referendum on the future of the current government and Armenia's foreign policy, according to the Caucasian Knot report "2026 Elections to the National Assembly (Parliament) of Armenia".