Russian President Vladimir Putin, during his meeting today with Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, told the Armenian president that Armenia is not only a partner of Russia but a strategic ally as well. 

“We understand everything that is happening in and around Armenia today. We are determined to develop our partnership. We are interested that the situation in the country becomes stable and guarantees development,” Putin told Khachaturyan according to a statement released by the office of the Armenian president.

Khachaturyan told Putin that he visited St. Petersburg often during the Soviet era and that the city looks clean and beautiful.

The Armenian president thanked Putin for inviting him to the forum, noting that as an economist he’s followed the annual event over the years.

“The Armenian people appreciate your efforts aimed at settling the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. I can say that your efforts to end the war are appreciated not only by me, but I also know that the people of Armenia appreciate it. It was very important that the war was stopped. It is very important for us that the agreements reached are observed,” Khachaturyan said.

The Armenian president said relations between the two countries are based on “historical friendship” and are of a “brotherly nature.”

“There is no need to say that you are a good brother, or you are a bad brother. Brotherly relations are like that. The essence and philosophy is like that. It's everything. It's trust, it's sincerity. It's joint plans and actions that must continue to be implemented,” Khachaturyan told Putin.