Around 100 Armenian trucks have been delayed on the Russian side of the Georgian-Russian border for several days, just two weeks before Armenia’s parliamentary elections, Radio Liberty’s Armenian Service reports.
Drivers told RFE/RL that, based on their experience, they see the situation as political pressure from Russia.
“These trucks have Armenian brands, they haven’t brought their documents for three or four days, they are waiting for an inspection [from Russia],” one driver said.
“All this is a warning about what will happen if we choose another option [and not what Russia wants],” another driver added.
Drivers also said Russian border guards turned back several trucks carrying strawberries, flowers, and fish.
At the same time, employees of Rosselkhoznadzor — Russia’s veterinary and phytosanitary supervision — are in Armenia inspecting greenhouses and fish farms together with local officials. According to reports, inspections are focused on around 12 companies whose products were found to contain alleged violations.
Russia has recently tightened restrictions on imports from Armenia, including bans on flowers, mineral water such as Jermuk, and alcoholic beverages produced by several companies.
Russian officials have also been urging Armenia to make a choice between closer alignment with the European Union or continued membership in the Eurasian Economic Union.
Armenian officials say the time for such a decision has not yet come.
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