Russia ratchets up pressure on Armenia ahead of June election

(Reuters/Al Arabiya) Russia sharply criticized Armenia on Thursday for drawing closer to the EU, saying it was not pursuing a balanced position towards Moscow and was cooperating with European nations wishing Russia harm. Moscow is dialing up pressure on the South Caucasus country ahead of a June 7 parliamentary vote pitting the ruling Civil Contract party, which is building closer ties to the West, against an array of opposition groups, several of them pro-Russian. – Russia ratchets up pressure on Armenia ahead of June election