**Armenia’s Speaker Calls for Ban on Russian TV Channels**
In a move that reflects Armenia’s growing distance from Moscow, the country’s Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan has urged authorities to seriously consider banning the broadcast of Russian television channels. This comes as tensions between Armenia and Russia continue to escalate.
Simonyan criticized recent content aired by Russian state broadcasters, which he deemed harmful to bilateral ties. He suggested that individuals connected to Armenian-Russian oligarch Samvel Karapetyan may be financing efforts to meddle in Armenia’s internal affairs.
**A Pivot Away from Moscow**
Armenia has been shifting its allegiance towards the West, with President Vahagn Khachaturyan signing a law initiating the country’s formal accession process to the European Union. This marks a significant political shift, embedding European integration into Armenian law.
The development is seen as a response to Russia’s failure to intervene during Azerbaijan’s military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh last year, which resulted in the mass displacement of ethnic Armenians.
**A Symbolic Move**
While some view the move towards EU membership as symbolic, it represents a significant step for Armenia. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has stated that EU membership would require a referendum, while the Kremlin warned that joining both the EU and the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is “simply impossible.”
**The Russia-Ukraine War**
In related news, Ukraine’s military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov revealed that Russia has the capacity to launch up to 500 Iranian-designed Shahed attack drones at Ukraine in a single attack. However, doing so on a daily basis is not possible.
Ukraine also accused Russia of executing another Ukrainian prisoner of war, while Russian forces suffered over 1,100 casualties just over the past day.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to escalate, with both sides trading accusations and attacks.
**A Complex Situation**
In an interview, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz highlighted the complexity of the situation, saying that deploying advanced weapons systems to Belarus would serve as a tool for maintaining domestic stability. However, he also acknowledged that such actions require careful consideration and coordination.
Authorities have detained former Russian Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov on bribery allegations, while Ukraine’s Air Force reported shooting down 40 drones and intercepting electronic warfare efforts by Russia overnight.
**A New Era of Cooperation**
As part of a new joint production program, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced that new factories and weapons manufacturing facilities will be built in Ukraine and abroad. This represents a significant shift towards self-sufficiency and cooperation with Western partners.
However, North Korea’s military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov warned that the country is significantly increasing its military power through direct cooperation with Russia.
**A Call for Action**
Armenia’s Speaker Alen Simonyan has called on authorities to take concrete action against Russian TV channels. This move reflects Armenia’s growing distance from Moscow and its increasing alignment with Western powers.
The situation remains complex, with both sides engaging in a high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse. As tensions escalate, it is clear that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine will continue to have far-reaching implications for global security and stability.
