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What happened on 10 January 2023 in Kyiv and Yerevan?
Summary
A look back at a day when Ukraine stripped a pro-Kremlin politician of citizenship and Armenia put off joint drills with Russia.
What did the politics of Ukraine and its neighbourhood look like on 10 January 2023? Two developments stood out: a citizenship decision in Kyiv and a postponement announced in Yerevan.
Citizenship stripped in Kyiv
On that date, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy deprived the pro-Kremlin politician Viktor Medvedchuk of Ukrainian citizenship. Three other people were also affected. The accusation against all four was high treason.
The move was reported as part of the wider government reactions to Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Armenia delays drills with Russia
The same day, Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that joint military exercises with the Russian Armed Forces, planned under the Collective Security Treaty Organization, would be postponed for that year. He cited the organization's refusal to condemn Azerbaijan in connection with the disputes between Armenia and Azerbaijan, a matter tied to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
The announcement placed the dispute over the organization's stance squarely within Armenia–Russia relations.
Two decisions, one date
The two announcements concerned different countries and different issues. One was a domestic legal step against a figure accused of treason; the other was a change in defence cooperation with Moscow. Both were recorded on 10 January 2023.
