Putin to Attend Armenian Genocide Centenary Commemoration in Yerevan

Russian President Vladimir Putin (l.) and Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan.

Dimitry Peskov, the spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin told AFP that Putin will go to Yerevan to participate in the commemoration ceremonies on April 24, marking the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide of 1915.

On March 12, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan had a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart where, according to Sargsyan’s official website, the two leaders coordinated a schedule of upcoming meetings to “ensure joint participation in the events marking both the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and the 70th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.” Russia has officially recognized the Armenian Genocide.

Sargsyan and Putin also discussed key aspects of their partnership and “exchanged views on further integration processes followed by the entry into force of the Treaty on Armenia’s Accession to the Eurasian Economic Union on January 2,” the statement on President Sargsyan’s website read.

However, Sargsyan had not been invited to take part in the meeting in Astana on March 12-13 of the presidents of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, leading to speculation that Armenia’s position and status as a junior partner played a role. That meeting was later cancelled.