Russia has summoned the Armenian ambassador regarding a series of actions it described as “unfriendly”. 

This development underscores the growing tension between Moscow and the smaller ex-Soviet republic, which Russia sees as part of its sphere of influence.

In a statement, the Russian foreign ministry listed these as
Armenia’s decisions to sign up to the International Criminal
Court and to host a military exercise with the US, as
well as a visit to Ukraine by the Armenian prime minister’s wife
to deliver humanitarian aid. 

It said a “harsh representation” had been made to
the ambassador, Vagharshak Harutyunyan, also complaining of
“offensive statements” allegedly made by Alen Simonyan, chair of
the Armenian National Assembly, about ministry spokeswoman Maria
Zakharova. 

Armenia, where a Russian military base is located and which heavily depends on Russia for its defence resources, has been vocal in its recent grievances. It has argued that Russian peacekeepers haven’t effectively resolved the Azerbaijani blockade, preventing essential supplies from reaching Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnic Armenian region within Azerbaijan.