Originally published by Moldpres 

Maia Sandu, President of Moldova, has welcomed the decision of the European Union to approve a 90-billion-loan-euros to support Ukraine and to adopt the 20th package of sanctions against Russia.

“Today, the European Union is once again proving that unity means strength. I welcome the 90 billion euros loan in support of Ukraine and the 20th package of sanctions against Russia. More support for Ukraine and more pressure on the aggressor represents the path towards a safer and more secure Europe,” the head of state said.

The decision on the loan has been definitively approved by the European Union. This financial measure supports Ukraine in the context of the war launched by Russia.

Cyprus, which holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, announced the launch of procedures to unblock the first payments from this loan, after the measure had previously been blocked by Hungary.

In the context, President of the European Council Antonio Costa emphasized that the European Union’s strategy for achieving a “just and lasting” peace in Ukraine was based on strengthening support for Kyiv and increasing pressure on Russia.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s spokesperson has denied as fake news a report that the Armenian leader held a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Iran.

A fabricated image misrepresented as a Truth Social post by Trump, claiming he spoke with Pashinyan and asked for permission to use Armenian airfields, was circulated on X. However, Trump has not made any such post, and no such phone call has taken place.

The post was obviously fabricated then generated online.

“False and manipulative information is being spread on the X social media platform by certain accounts, claiming that U.S. President Donald Trump allegedly made a post on Truth Social about a phone call with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan.

I would like to clarify that no such phone conversation took place. There was no discussion of this nature between the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia and U.S. President Donald Trump. The information being circulated is false and does not correspond to reality.

This claim bears the characteristics of foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI). In particular, given the method of its dissemination-amplified circulation on the X platform by multiple accounts using identical or related wording and the spread of an unverified claim based on an unreliable source-it is considered an attempt at coordinated information manipulation,” Baghdasaryan said.

Pashinyan’s press secretary urged media outlets, public figures, and social media users to refrain from spreading unverified information, especially when it concerns Armenia’s national security, foreign policy, and regional stability.

Baghdasaryan earlier warned of intensified disinformation campaigns targeting Armenia.

Armenian Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan held a meeting in Yerevan with Alice Rufo, Minister Delegate to the French Minister for the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs.

During the meeting, a number of issues related to Armenia–France cooperation in the field of defense were discussed, Papikyan said on social media.

“We highly appreciated the current level of bilateral cooperation and emphasized the importance of its continued deepening,” the Armenian defense minister said.

Alice Rufo, Minister Delegate to the French Minister for the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs, together with Aurore Bergé, Minister Delegate for Equality between Women and Men and the Fight against Discrimination, earlier met with Prime Minister Pashinyan.

The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 24 April, USD exchange rate down by 0.55 drams to 371.83 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 3.18 drams to 434.37 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.0106 drams to 4.9452 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 1.97 drams to 501.41 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price down by 499 drams to 56690 drams. 

Ara Aghanyan, a member of the Armenian men’s weightlifting team, won a silver medal at the European Championships.

Competing in the men’s 94 kg weight category at the tournament held in Batumi, Aghanyan successfully completed all three attempts in the snatch, lifting 167 kg, 172 kg, and 175 kg to secure silver in the discipline.

In the clean and jerk, he lifted 200 kg and 206 kg, earning a bronze medal.

With a combined total of 381 kg, Aghanyan finished as the overall silver medalist at the European Championships.

Armenian weightlifter Emma Poghosyan claimed gold at the European Weightlifting Championships held in Batumi.

Competing in the women’s 86 kg weight category, Poghosyan lifted 102 kg, 105 kg, and 107 kg in the snatch to secure a bronze medal in the discipline. In the clean and jerk, she successfully lifted 132 kg, 134 kg, and 141 kg to take first place.

With a combined total of 248 kg, Poghosyan was crowned European champion.

Weightlifter Liana Gyurjyan also competed in the same category. Gyurjyan lifted 101 kg in the snatch and recorded 130 kg and 135 kg in the clean and jerk, finishing second in that discipline. With a total of 236 kg, she placed fifth overall.

Earlier, Armenian weightlifters Garnik Cholakyan, Alexandra Grigoryan, Gor Sahakyan, and Ara Aghanyan won silver medals at the championships, while Martin Poghosyan secured bronze. Anna Amroyan won gold in the clean and jerk event.

The United States and Armenia will continue their efforts to build a more secure and prosperous world, U.S. President Donald Trump said in his message to the Armenian people, published on the White House website on April 24.

He clarified that the US administration is strengthening the strategic partnership with Armenia by delivering significant opportunities for the Armenian people and promoting lasting stability across the South Caucasus region. 

“And now, Americans and Armenians stand side by side on the historic Board of Peace, united in our purpose to usher in a new era of peace through strength, ‘’ reads the statement.