The Kremlin wants the Armenian government to confirm whether it has banned Russian MP Konstantin Zatulin from entering Armenia.

Earlier this week, Zatulin published a letter, allegedly from a senior Armenian parliament staffer, notifying him that his further visits to Armenia are deemed “undesirable”.

An Armenian National Assembly spokesperson has since confirmed the latter’s authenticity.

The Russian MP, who serves as First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, said he was taken aback by the letter.

TASS today writes that Moscow has, through diplomatic channels, sought clarification from Yerevan and cites remarks made by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova on Tuesday.

"We immediately turned to the Armenian side through diplomatic channels for official confirmation and clarification,” Zakharova said at a press briefing.

Zatulin, regarded as a pro-Armenia lawmaker, has recently criticized the government of Nikol Pashinyan, accusing it of ready to make major concessions to Baku and of switching Armenia’s loyalty from Moscow to the West.

Zakharova said Moscow will respond once it has received an answer from Yerevan.

"Of course, I would not like to see any artificial pretexts invented in the current conditions, when the West is decisively trying to stir up the situation in the South Caucasus and drive a wedge into relations between Moscow and Yerevan," Zakharova said.