Category: 2022

Ukraine’s Charge d’Affaires in Armenia accuses Russia in launching “war of conquest”

 16:27, 1 March, 2022

YEREVAN, MARCH 1, ARMENPRESS.  Ukraine’s Chargé d’Affaires in Armenia Denis Avtonomov says Kiev’s official position on Russia’s military actions in Ukraine is that the actions are a “war of conquest” and not a “special operation” as stated by Moscow.

“Today is the 6th day of the war”, Avtonomov said at a press conference at the Ukrainian Embassy in Yerevan. “We are resisting for already 122 hours. New fronts are opening thanks to our defenders, the enemy is suffering losses. The international IT community has joined the destruction of the army of occupants, even Ukrainian school students are attacking in the cyberfront. Meanwhile in Russia, hundreds of thousands of people understood that the government is deceiving them, that there is no special operation, that this is a simple war of conquest where thousands of Russians have already been killed,” Avtonomov said.

The Ukrainian Chargé d’Affaires accused the Russian military in bombarding cities and the peaceful population, which Russia denies. Avtonomov said that a Russian tactical missile hit central Kharkov this morning.

“It’s the central part of the city, there are no military facilities there, residential buildings of Kharkov are bombed with Grads, this is war crime,” Avtonomov said.

Citing the Ukrainian military’s general staff, Ukraine’s Chargé d’Affaires Denis Avtonomov said that 5710 Russian troops have been killed in the 6 days. Another 200 Russian troops have been taken captive, 29 warplanes, 29 helicopters, 198 tanks, 846 infantry fighting vehicles, 77 artillery systems have been destroyed, according to the official Ukrainian data.

Asked about Ukraine’s expectations from Armenia in the given situation, given that Russia is Armenia’s strategic ally, Avtonomov noted that Armenia hasn’t yet issued its official stance over the Russian military’s actions in Ukraine, but said that Armenia’s position during the February 28 vote in Geneva is “positive”.

“Armenia isn’t expressing its position now. Nevertheless, yesterday, during the UN Human Rights Council session, the issue of including the situation in Ukraine in the upcoming 49th session in Geneva was being debated. From the 47 members, 29 voted in favor, 13 abstained, including Armenia, and those who voted against are Russia, China, Venezuela, Cuba and Eritrea. This is the first time in recent years when Armenia doesn’t support Russia’s stance. We think this is a good signal and we hope that such a position will at least continue,” Avtonomov said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address on February 24 that in response to a request by the heads of the Donbass republics he had made a decision to carry out a special military operation in order to protect people “who have been suffering from abuse and genocide by the Kiev regime for eight years.” The Russian leader stressed that Moscow had no plans of occupying Ukrainian territories.

When clarifying the unfolding developments, the Russian Defense Ministry reassured that Russian troops are not targeting Ukrainian cities, but are limited to surgically striking and incapacitating Ukrainian military infrastructure. However, Ukraine has numerously accused Russia in striking civilian infrastructure.

In terms of losses, the Russian military admitted in having suffered casualties but did not give numbers.

 10:09, 1 March, 2022

YEREVAN, MARCH 1, ARMENPRESS. The Parliament of Armenia honored the memory of the victims of 2008 March 1 events with a moment of silence at the beginning of today’s session.

“Today is March 1, and on these days 14 years ago 10 citizens of Armenia – 8 civilians and 2 police officers, were killed as a result of the events that took place in Yerevan”, Acting Speaker of Parliament Hakob Arshakyan said, proposing the lawmakers to honor the memory of the victims with a moment of silence.

 10:20, 1 March, 2022

YEREVAN, MARCH 1, ARMENPRESS. Bulgaria, Poland and Slovakia will transfer 70 combat aircraft to Ukraine that can be stationed on airfields in Poland, TASS reports citing the press service of the Ukrainian Navy.

“If necessary, they can be stationed on Polish airfields, from which Ukrainian pilots will perform combat missions”, the press service said.

According to its data, Bulgaria will transfer 16 MiG-29 fighters and 14 Su-25 attack planes, Poland – 28 MiG-29 planes, and Slovakia – 12 MiG-29 planes.

 10:22, 1 March, 2022

YEREVAN, MARCH 1, ARMENPRESS. Acting Speaker of Parliament Hakob Arshakyan received the Special Envoy of Canada to the European Union and Europe, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Federal Republic of Germany Stéphane Dion, the Parliament’s press service said.

The Chair of the Parliament’s Standing Committee on European Integration Arman Yeghoyan also attended the meeting.

Welcoming the guests, Hakob Arshakyan has underlined that this year is significant for Armenia and Canada: the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries turns. In the Armenian-Canadian bilateral relations, the Acting Speaker stressed the role of the inter-parliamentary cooperation, particularly the Parliamentary Friendship Groups.

Hakob Arshakyan has opined that the close and effective cooperation with the European Union is of special importance for Armenia and has added that the opportunities of the RA-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement shall be fully used. “That is a firm basis in terms of the development of mutually beneficial relations with the EU and the EU member states,” Hakob Arshakyan documented.

Hakob Arshakyan highly evaluated the fact that from the first days of the 2020 Artsakh second war Canada had actively tried to make efforts for ceasefire. In this aspect he valued the decision of the Government of Canada for stopping the supply of the Canadian armament to Turkey.

Touching upon the post-war still non-overcome problems, Hakob Arshakyan highlighted the realization of all provisions of the trilateral statement, considering of priority the issue of the immediate repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war and the civilians being held in Azerbaijan. The Acting Speaker has reminded that the return of the abovementioned persons is postponed with fake criminal cases in Azerbaijan.

“We hope that the international counterparts will decently respond to the fact and we will be able to advance in the region with the committed peace agenda,” Hakob Arshakyan stressed.

In this context the importance of the demarcation and delimitation process and the complete withdrawal of the Azerbaijani armed forces from the Armenian sovereign territory was touched upon. With regards to the establishment of peace in the region it has been underscored that the special representatives of Armenia and Turkey actively negotiate in registering progress in the Armenian-Turkish relations.

During the meeting the sides referred to the efficiency and continuity of the development program of the Staff being implemented with the cooperation between the National Assembly Staff and the Parliamentary Centre of Canada.

With respect to the development of parliamentary diplomacy Hakob Arshakyan and Arman Yeghoyan emphasized the implementation of such strategic programs. The efficiency of the implementation of the exchange programs was underlined.

Stéphane Dion in his turn highlighted the continuous development of the Armenian-Canadian relations and the deepening of the relationship. In this context he especially stressed the role of the Friendship Groups.

 17:36, 1 March, 2022

YEREVAN, 1 MARCH, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 1 March, USD exchange rate up by 0.94 drams to 484.86 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 108.45 drams to 649.42 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.02 drams to 4.77 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 105.31 drams to 541.98 drams.

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

Gold price up by 447.46 drams to 29771.91 drams. Silver price up by 2.91 drams to 379.58 drams.

 18:17, 1 March, 2022

YEREVAN, MARCH 1, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan met with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on March 1 within the framework of the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia, the parties praised Armenia’s close cooperation with the UN, in particular with the UN Human Rights Office. Ararat Mirzoyan noted that the year is symbolic, it marks the 30th anniversary of Armenia’s membership in the UN. In this regard, the Foreign Minister stressed that Armenia has established itself as a responsible, reliable partner of the international community and has consistently contributed to the promotion of multilateralism, as well as the protection and promotion of fundamental human rights and fundamental freedoms in the world.

Presenting the situation created by the 44-day war unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh, Ararat Mirzoyan stressed the importance of unhindered involvement of international organizations in the full settlement of humanitarian issues in Nagorno Karabakh, including the implementation of humanitarian missions by the UN High Commissioner.

Minister Mirzoyan noted that the Azerbaijani aggression against Artsakh, its people, was accompanied by gross violations of human rights, international humanitarian law, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, which were documented in detail and presented to international human rights organizations.

Ararat Mirzoyan stressed that Armenian prisoners of war are still illegally detained in Azerbaijan, civilians, whom official Baku refuses to release and return, which is a gross violation of international law. Attention was also drawn to the planned actions of vandalism and destruction of the Armenian cultural heritage in the territories under the control of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces as a result of the war against Nagorno Karabakh.

The parties also exchanged views on the ongoing reforms in Armenia and the achievements made within their framework, in particular, in the areas of strengthening democracy, promoting human rights, the rule of law, the judiciary, and the fight against corruption. The interlocutors highly assessed the coordinated cooperation with international structures in this process.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reaffirmed Armenia’s commitment to advancing the agenda for the prevention of genocide and crimes against humanity.

 19:03, 1 March, 2022

YEREVAN, 1 March, ARMENPRESS. Ukraine analyses the results of negotiations with Russia and forms its position for the next round, but is not ready to implement the Kremlin’s ultimatums, ARMENPRESS reports, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba announced during the online briefing.

“The President fully, until the last detail, is informed about the negotiations that took place yesterday. We will clarify our position and at that time in case of necessity will prepare for a new meeting”, “Ukrinform” reports, said Kuleba.

According to him, the Ukrainian side thinks that such a meeting should take place, because Ukraine is committed to diplomacy and is ready for resolution of the military conflict.

“But we will not go to negotiate in any case, if the Russian Federation plans to announce its ultimatums during that. The negotiations are negotiations and we will talk and search for solutions. But we are not going to implement Russian ultimatums”, emphasized the Ukrainian FM.

 10:24, 1 March, 2022

YEREVAN, MARCH 1, ARMENPRESS. Armenian National Football Team footballer Narek Grigoryan of Urartu FC was signed by the Jagiellonia Białystok football club of Poland’s top professional football league.

“Grigoryan’s contract with Jagiellonia is valid until the end of the current season, with the option to buy,” the club said on social media. 

The Armenian will play with number 18.

Robert Arzumanyan also used to play for Jagiellonia.

 19:25, 1 March, 2022

YEREVAN, 1 MARCH, ARMENPRESS. The special military actions implemented by Russia are aimed at saving people, demilitarizing and denazifing that country, ARMENPRESS reports, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov announced in a video message at the session of the UN Human Rights Council.

He announced that Russia respects the Ukrainian people and does not intend to violate the rights of the citizens of that country.

“Millions of Ukrainians today live in Russia. We take them for ours. Together we always were and will be strong and successful”, the Minister of Foreign Affairs said.

According to him ”the consistent  dissemination and the attacks on truth and freedom” are implemented by the permission of the US and its allies.

“Exactly the policy of the West headed by Washington led to that since 2014 Kiev regime has been fighting against its own people, against all those who do not agree with the neo-Nazi values of Maidan, criminal policy of the Ukrainian authorities.” said Lavrov.

 19:26, 1 March, 2022

YEREVAN, 1 March, ARMENPRESS. The next round of talks between Russia and Ukraine will take place on March 2, ARMENPTRESS reports a Russian source told TASS.

“As previously agreed, the meeting has to take place tomorrow,” he said.

The first round of talks between Russia and Ukraine took place on February 28 in the Gomel region of Belarus. It lasted 5 hours. After the meeting, the Russian side announced that the parties had reached a preliminary agreement to hold the next round of talks in Belarus.