Kathrine Frich
When small nations decide to shift their global friendships, the backlash usually hits the supermarket shelves first.
Decades of trade can vanish overnight over a single political disagreement. One country is now watching its massive agricultural exports get blocked at the border as punishment for looking West.
Shutting the border
According to Digi24, Moscow is steadily closing its doors to Armenian goods. Russian authorities just announced a strict ban on fresh vegetables and berries arriving from their southern neighbor.
When May 30 arrives, border guards will reject all shipments of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and strawberries. Officials in Moscow blame the sudden blockade on dangerous agricultural pests.
The agency claimed it needed to halt trade “until the development of an appropriate algorithm for ensuring the safety of shipped products” can be established.
A growing list
They also stated that Yerevan ignored previous warnings to fix the safety issues.
“In addition, the competent authority of Armenia has not taken appropriate measures in relation to previously identified violations,” Russian officials said.
This produce ban is part of a growing trade war. Just last week, Russia stopped all flower imports after claiming inspectors found dangerous insects inside the boxes.
Inspectors also blocked Djermuk mineral water. Furthermore, they banned major shipments of wine and cognac from three massive Armenian factories.
Cutting the energy
The pressure goes far beyond farm goods and bottled drinks.
Russian Energy Minister Sergei Civilev recently escalated the situation by delivering a much heavier threat.
He warned that Moscow could completely cut off supplies of natural gas, oil, and rough diamonds.
That threat will become reality if Armenia continues its push to join the European Union.
Shifting loyalties
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has made several bold moves that angered the Kremlin.
He recently skipped the traditional Victory Day parade in Moscow and explicitly stated his country does not support the war in Ukraine.
Armenia even accepted the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, which currently holds an active arrest warrant for the Russian leader.
Vladimir Putin recently warned Yerevan to remember what happened to Ukraine. To resolve the tension, he suggested holding a public vote to allow for a “gentle, intelligent and mutually beneficial separation.”
Sources: Digi24
