Kremlin expresses concern over arrests of Armenia opposition leaders

Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said on Friday Russia was greatly concerned about the arrests of opposition figures in Armenia, and reiterated that Yerevan would

not be able to remain in a Moscow-led economic grouping as it seeks EU membership.



Ushakov added that Russian President Vladimir Putin would meet Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan, early next week.



Under Pashinyan, who swept to power following street protests in 2018, Armenia has moved closer to the West and has distanced itself from Russia, which retains a major military base inside the South Caucasus country.