Moscow awaits response from Armenian authorities to Arushanyan’s ''neo-nazi'' remarks about certain ''Ivans''

Moscow expects the Armenian authorities to respond to what it described as “boorish and neo-Nazi” remarks made by David Arushanyan, governor of Armenia’s Shirak Province, about certain “Ivans.” Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova made the statement at a press briefing, noting that many prominent representatives of the Armenian people had chosen Russian names for themselves.

“Such openly boorish, neo-Nazi slogans should have no place in any self-respecting society, particularly Armenian society, which is highly sensitive to matters of history in general and its own history in particular. We expect a clear and unequivocal response from the Armenian authorities, who, incidentally, are based on a square named after that very same Marshal Ivan Bagramyan,” the diplomat said.

Earlier, Arushanyan described the celebrations marking Gyumri Day, organized by the Strong Armenia party, as “yet another political spectacle.” He also stated that “Gyumri is not your ''Lower Tabar,'' and the people of Gyumri are not your ‘Ivans.’”

According to Zakharova, Arushanyan had “humiliated the Armenian people.”