Armenian PM explains why he did not attend Putin's "inauguration"

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has stated at a press conference in Yerevan that he did not attend Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin's "inauguration" because he was not invited.

As reported by News.am, Pashinyan said he did not receive an invitation to Putin's event from Russia.

"I received an invitation from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to attend his inauguration. But I did not receive one from Russian President Vladimir Putin," Pashinyan said. 

He also emphasised that today's press conference was just as essential as the event in Moscow.

"We are obviously discussing very important issues," he added.

Pashinyan also commented on his reluctance to go to Moscow to celebrate 9 May. 

"Last year I participated in the 9 May event [i.e. the Victory Day anniversary parade in Moscow – ed.], and I don't think I need to participate every year... Wouldn't it seem strange to you if the leader of Armenia attended the 9 May military parade [in Moscow] every year?" he said.

According to media reports, diplomats from at least six EU countries – France, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Hungary and Slovakia – decided to attend Putin's "inauguration" on 7 May.

The EU’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, had advised EU countries not to send representatives to the "inauguration".

The European Commission later explained why several EU governments had sent delegates to the "inauguration" anyway.