Russia has banned the Armenian mineral water brand Jermuk and stepped up its rhetoric against Yerevan
Russia has banned the import and sale of Jermuk mineral water from Armenia, citing non-compliance with labeling requirements and a potential risk to consumers. Against this backdrop, Russian politicians have sharply escalated their rhetoric regarding Armenia, comparing its situation to that of Ukraine and accusing Yerevan of “unfriendly policies,” according to Russian media reports.
Russia’s Rospotrebnadzor announced a ban on the supply and sale of Jermuk mineral water in Russia, explaining the decision by stating that the product allegedly does not meet the properties claimed on the label and may mislead consumers regarding its therapeutic qualities, which, according to the agency, could affect the quality of treatment and health. “The product in question does not correspond to the information stated on the label… misleading consumers regarding the product’s therapeutic properties could lead to ineffective treatment and a deterioration in health,” Rospotrebnadzor stated.
At the same time, Russian officials continue to expand the list of complaints against Armenian products and policies: Russia had previously restricted imports of flowers from Armenia, and the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) reported “problematic” shipments of fruits and vegetables as well.
Against this backdrop, Moscow is commenting more and more sharply on Yerevan’s political moves. In particular, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu stated that Armenia’s actions “do not correspond to the spirit of allied relations.”
And State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin went further, accusing Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of “unfriendly policies” and stating: “THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. As I said earlier, we have seen all of this in the case of Ukraine.”
Volodin also stated that Russia cannot ignore developments in Armenia, particularly the adoption of a law on the start of European integration and accession to the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, calling this a sign of a shift in Yerevan’s foreign policy course. “All of this shows that Armenia is building relations with countries ‘unfriendly’ to Russia,” he said, adding sharp criticism of the Armenian leadership.
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