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Russia has blocked the entry of Armenian trucks for “violating sanitary measures”. Hundreds of Armenian trucks have been stuck at the Upper Lars crossing on the Russian-Georgian border since 23 November.

In a letter to the Armenian government late on Tuesday, Russia’s food safety watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor complained over a surge in supplies of pest-infected crops from Armenia and asked the Armenian colleagues to take immediate measures to prevent violations.

The Armenian Food Safety Inspectorate has not yet responded to Russia’s accusations. The inspection body told Panorama.am that they were preparing a response.

In the meantime, Panorama.am talked to political technologist Karen Kocharyan to understand whether the situation at the Upper Lars checkpoint and Rosselkhoznadzor’s letter have political overtures.

Karen Kocharyan: I don't have any information to make claims. But just based on the situation, I am almost sure that there are political reasons for it.

Panorama.am: What could have triggered such steps by Russia?

Karen Kocharyan: The reasons could be different, including [tense] Armenian-Russian relations. I have repeatedly warned of such a scenario. It’s not something new.

Panorama.am: What could be the next step of the Russian side in the current situation?

Karen Kocharyan: A Russian saying goes, “Russia cannot be understood with the mind”. I am not saying this, they say it themselves. Now it’s very difficult to understand what comes next. Any step could be unfavorable for Armenia.

Panorama.am: The chief of the Armenian prime minister’s staff issued a statement on the situation at the Upper Lars checkpoint on Wednesday. How would you assess this statement?

Karen Kocharyan: You know, it is pointless to discuss the current government. I have long ignored everything related to it.