Ratification of the Rome Statute by Armenia will have the most negative consequences for bilateral relations, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday, September 28.

“The Armenian partners were initially informed of the position that Armenia’s ratification of the Rome Statute of the ICC is unacceptable in conditions when this structure has issued “arrest warrants” for the top leadership of Russia. Yerevan's initiative to conclude a bilateral agreement was considered, Moscow proposed a compromise that could suit both parties,” the Ministry said, according to TASS.

“Unfortunately, it was not taken into account, and instead a political decision was made in Armenia in favor of ratifying the Rome Statute. This will have the most negative consequences for bilateral relations.”

The Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized that the idea “promoted by Armenian representatives” that joining the ICC will supposedly have no effect on Russian-Armenian ties “does not correspond to reality.”

The Ministry said it was difficult to imagine a visit to the republic by the Russian leadership, especially when deputies from the ruling party are calling for the arrest of Russian President Vladimir Putin

“Moscow hopes that in the National Assembly of Armenia there will be sober-minded forces who will not “rubber stamp” a decision that is obviously toxic for Armenian-Russian relations,” it added.

On Wednesday, the standing parliamentary commission on state and legal issues adopted a bill on the ratification of the Rome Statute of the ICC and sent it to the Armenian parliament. Yerevan has said previously that the move is not directed against the Russian Federation, but is aimed at conducting criminal prosecution against Azerbaijanis who have committed war crime.