Russian authorities have identified new violations in imports from Armenia and introduced a temporary ban on flower shipments from the country, citing phytosanitary concerns as relations between the two sides deteriorate.
Rosselkhoznadzor said the restrictions, effective from May 22, are intended to protect Russia’s phytosanitary safety and export potential.
The agency stated that it continues to detect “quarantine objects” in Armenian shipments despite guarantees from Armenia’s product safety authorities.
It said specialists found 135 cases of contamination in 96.2 million imported flowers, compared to 176 cases across all of 2025. The regulator earlier identified Californian flower thrips among the detected pests.
Rosselkhoznadzor also previously reported 146 cases of contamination involving Armenian fruit and vegetable imports and raised concerns about other products, including rainbow trout, dairy goods, cognac and mineral water.
The latest restrictions follow political tensions between Moscow and Yerevan, including criticism from Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu over Armenia’s foreign policy moves, such as hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a European Political Community summit in Yerevan and joining the International Criminal Court.
Moscow has also raised concerns over extradition cases involving Russian citizens and what it describes as worsening conditions for Russian businesses operating in Armenia.
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