Russian authorities have claimed that the ban imposed on a variety of Armenian goods is not politically motivated and have insisted that the reason is phytosanitary violations detected in the products.

Agricultural watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor director Sergey Dankvert told Russian state media that the problem allegedly lies in the organization and oversight of production in Armenia.

Dankvert told Rossiyskaya Gazeta that in Armenia there are many small farming businesses that export their products. “However, between production and delivery, there is effectively no internal system of control and cooperation.”

“In one truck, thousands of bundles of greens are collected, after which regulatory bodies must inspect this huge volume of goods. This is physically impossible,” he said.

Dankvert emphasized that product control should take place directly at the production stage. He added that for the system to work effectively, cooperation, production oversight, as well as responsibility from producer unions are necessary.

“This is what is missing today. Therefore, the reasons for restrictions lie in product quality and safety, not politics,” Dankvert said.

Ahead of the parliamentary elections held on June 7, Russia imposed restrictions and bans on the import of numerous Armenian goods, which remain in effect today. The move prompted exporters to look for new markets, including in the EU. The EU has since announced support measures. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, following a phone call with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, announced immediate financial assistance of more than €50 million, along with other support measures to facilitate trade, including steps to expand export opportunities for Armenian goods.

Russia has cited phytosanitary violations as the reason for the ban, which has been widely viewed by the EU as “economic coercion.”