West demands Armenia impose visa regime on Russia, media reports

Western powers are pressing Armenia to introduce a visa regime for Russian citizens as a precondition for prospective European Union visa liberalization, Armenian daily Hraparak reported citing government sources.

According to the outlet, despite warnings from the Russian Foreign Ministry that such restrictions would primarily harm Armenian citizens, the visa requirement remains a core benchmark within Yerevan's integration talks with the EU.

The report also cited insider claims that Western partners are lobbying for former Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan to be appointed to a pivotal cabinet post—specifically targeting leadership roles within the Defense Ministry or the National Security Service to curtail Moscow's enduring institutional influence.