Russia Says It Is Ready for Talks With Armenia Over Phytosanitary Controls

Russia said it is ready to hold what it called a constructive dialogue with Armenia over phytosanitary controls, as trade restrictions imposed in recent months continue to affect a wide range of Armenian exports, including alcoholic beverages and mineral water.

The statement came from Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk on August 24, according to TASS, which was cited by Public Radio of Armenia. Speaking to the Telegram channel Yunashev Live, Overchuk said the central issue for Moscow was not politics but compliance with phytosanitary rules.

“Requirements for phytosanitary control must be complied with,” Overchuk said. He added that Russia was ready for a constructive dialogue, but said Moscow saw “certain problems on the Armenian side,” and that talks on the issue were already under way.

Overchuk linked the matter to a recent meeting between Russian Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut and Armenian Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan. He said Lut had raised concerns about vegetables and fruit imported from Armenia. According to Overchuk, the problem was not product quality in a general sense, but the presence of pests and diseases.

Russia has gradually tightened restrictions on a range of Armenian goods in recent months, citing what it says are breaches of veterinary and phytosanitary requirements. The measures have covered fruits, vegetables, flowers, fish, dairy products, mineral water and alcoholic beverages.

That makes the dispute significant beyond agriculture. Armenia relies on Russia as a major market for food and drink exports, and continued checks or restrictions on alcoholic beverages could weigh on Armenian producers and create more regulatory uncertainty for importers and distributors that handle wine and spirits from the country. The effect would depend on how quickly the two sides can agree on corrective steps and whether Russian authorities decide to ease the existing controls.

The Russian position, as described by Overchuk, suggests Moscow wants technical answers from Armenia before changing course. Rosselkhoznadzor, Russia’s federal agency for veterinary and phytosanitary surveillance, has said it is waiting for the results of Armenia’s investigations into the violations it identified. The agency also wants information on the measures taken and an action plan designed to bring Armenian exports into line with Eurasian Economic Union standards.

Until that process is completed, Rosselkhoznadzor has indicated that restrictions will not be eased or lifted. That leaves Armenian exporters facing a period of uncertainty at a time when access to the Russian market remains commercially important for several categories of goods, including beverages.

On the Armenian side, the Food Safety Inspection Body has said it remains in constant contact with Rosselkhoznadzor. Armenian authorities say the two agencies are coordinating on measures and on an action plan intended to ensure compliance with Eurasian Economic Union veterinary and phytosanitary requirements.

The language used by both sides points to an effort to keep the dispute in a regulatory framework, even as the commercial impact grows. Russia’s message is that imports can continue only if inspection standards are met. Armenia’s response is that it is working through the concerns with the Russian regulator and preparing the documentation and corrective measures needed.

For producers of Armenian wine, brandy and other alcoholic drinks, the issue is especially sensitive because trade interruptions can quickly affect shipments, inventory planning and distributor relationships. If inspections become slower or if restrictions widen, exporters may face delays in moving goods into one of their most important neighboring markets. Even where products are not formally banned, stricter oversight can increase costs and complicate logistics.

The inclusion of mineral water and alcoholic beverages in the list of affected products also shows that the dispute is not confined to fresh produce, where phytosanitary controls are more commonly discussed. In practice, once regulators raise broader compliance concerns, the pressure can spread across different categories of food and drink, particularly when authorities ask for system-wide corrective actions.

Overchuk’s comments nevertheless leave room for negotiations. By saying Russia is ready for constructive dialogue, he signaled that Moscow is not ruling out a settlement through technical coordination. But his remarks also made clear that Russian officials expect Armenia to address the concerns in a way that satisfies the regulator.

No timeline was given for when restrictions might be reviewed. That will likely depend on the findings of Armenia’s investigations, the content of its action plan and whether Rosselkhoznadzor considers those steps enough to meet Eurasian Economic Union requirements.

For now, the dispute remains active, with officials on both sides in contact and exporters watching for any sign that controls on Armenian products, including alcoholic beverages, could either tighten further or begin to ease.