Ahead of Armenia's parliamentary elections, Russia's Foreign Ministry urged Armenian citizens to "save" their country, denouncing Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian's pro-Western foreign policy. Russian officials, including spokeswoman Maria Zakharova and Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, emphasized that Armenia must make a historically correct choice to maintain its deep, fraternal relations with Russia. This diplomatic pressure coincides with Russia's de facto embargo on key Armenian agricultural products and beverages, citing phytosanitary concerns, which severely impacts Armenia's economy. Pashinian, however, downplayed tensions, promising to resolve these issues with Moscow if reelected, while also signaling a pivot towards new export markets in the European Union, which is reportedly increasing its support for Armenia amid Russian economic coercion.