Russia has described as “incomprehensible” the decision by its ally Armenia to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a European summit this week, while also warning Yerevan against strengthening ties with the European Union.

Speaking at a weekly briefing, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said: “Russian society, with deep indignation and bewilderment, not only saw but remembered that Armenia, which we are used to considering a friendly, brotherly country, served as a platform. For whom? For a terrorist,” The Caspian Post reports, citing The Moscow Times.

Zakharova also referred to alleged Ukrainian threats, saying: “The current, illegitimate Kyiv regime has been issuing threats to strike Moscow during the annual parade on May 9, a day sacred to our peoples. ... And no one in Armenia’s current leadership rebuked Zelensky. So whose side of history are you on?”

Meanwhile, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told reporters on Thursday that “Back in 2022-2023 I already stated that, on the issue of Ukraine, we are not an ally of Russia.”

He also confirmed he would not attend Moscow’s Victory Day parade on Saturday, citing preparations for parliamentary elections scheduled for June 7.

Zakharova further criticized a joint declaration adopted by Armenia and the European Union during a summit on Tuesday, which acknowledges Armenia’s aspiration to join the bloc and expands cooperation in economic and security areas.

“Such a course by the Armenian authorities will sooner or later lead to Yerevan’s irreversible involvement in Brussels’ anti-Russian line, with all the ensuing political and economic consequences for Armenia,” she warned.