Armenian truck drivers protest over new Russian entry rules

Truck drivers staged another protest outside the Armenian government building in Yerevan on Thursday, demanding an extension of the 90-day limit imposed by Russian law on cargo transport within Russia to 180 days. Drivers say delays particularly at the Lars checkpoint often prevent them from meeting the new deadline, leading to heavy fines and bans from entering Russia.

Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan met with the protesters on Thursday, assuring them the government was working on the issue. But drivers expressed frustration, saying many have already been barred from Russia for up to five years.

“If they deport so many of us, there will be no drivers left in Armenia,” one protester said. “Let officials try sleeping five days in a truck cab and see how it feels.”

Opposition MP Garnik Danielyan criticized Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government for failure to take prompt action to resolve the issue, stressing Pashinyan was busy with “selfies and bike rides” instead of addressing urgent economic problems.

Protesters warn that if the issue remains unresolved, Armenia could face shortages of basic goods and rising prices, affecting both imports and exports.