Freight carriers holding another protest outside government building

ArmInfo.  Cargo carriers in Armenia are holding another protest  demanding a  resolution to the situation that has arisen following the  implementation of the Russian Federation's Federal Law on the Legal  Status of Foreign Citizens. According to the law, citizens of visa-  free countries entering Russia for purposes other than employment  (i.e., without a corresponding stamp on their immigration card) may  stay in the country for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This  restriction also applies to drivers involved in cargo and passenger  transportation, even though they are actually performing work duties.  Violations of the law will result in drivers being banned from  entering the Russian Federation for a period of 3 to 10 years.

It's worth noting that the 90-day period is insufficient for Armenian  freight forwarders, as the only land route connecting Armenia with  the Russian Federation is the road through the Upper Lars checkpoint  (the Georgian-Russian border). Given the low throughput and various  issues that arise, including technical ones, queues at Upper Lars can  last for an unforeseen number of days. As a result, drivers  unwittingly violate the 90-day limit.

Freight forwarders gathered outside the government building today  wrote a letter to Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan  requesting to address the issue at the level of the Eurasian Economic  Commission (EEC). Specifically, the drivers believe these legislative  changes should not apply to citizens of EAEU countries engaged in  international freight transport.

If their request is not considered, the drivers are planning to close  the state border of the Republic of Armenia, prohibiting foreign  freight forwarders from entering the country. 

Note that, according to the RA Statistics Committee, the volume of  freight transportation in Armenia increased by 1.1% in January-August  2025 compared to the same period in 2024, reaching 10,620,600 tons.   Of this volume, 78.4%, or 8,330,300 tons, was accounted for by road  freight transportation, a 0.2% decrease compared to the same period  last year.

Recall, the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) issued a statement a  few days earlier stating the importance of  regulating the situation  with international road transport in light of changes in the  conditions of stay of foreign citizens in the Russian Federation.  "The Commission, acting strictly within its authority and competence,  is taking all necessary measures to address  any emerging issues,"  the EEC statement read.