After the Russian Civil War, a mass of Whiteguards and emigrants who were threatened by the Bolsheviks were forced to flee to Istanbul, then under Antanta occupation. In Istanbul part of the population were Greeks and Armenians, and it would seem that the "Christian brothers" for whose interests Russia had just fought against Turkey, it was high time to show hospitality and gratitude to the "ancient Christian nations".

But, no such luck. Almost all Belo-emigrants note impudence, rudeness, aspiration to get profit on the poor refugees from whom Armenians and Greeks of Istanbul bought all valuable things for a pittance. If someone was sympathetic and came to the aid of the Russians, shared the last, although he himself lived miserably, it was the Turks of Istanbul. There was no sign of hatred, gloating or even ill-will towards their former enemies who had got into trouble on the Turks' part. Although many families had lost their sons in the war with the Russians.

Today, too, one of the "most ancient nations", the Armenian, has the opportunity to show its "hospitality" and gratitude towards Russia and the Russians. The fact is that after Russia's aggression against Ukraine, air links between Russia and almost all Western countries have been halted. One of the few destinations through which Russians can leave Russia today remains Yerevan.

 As a result, a significant flow of Russians has flocked to Armenia, with dozens of flights landing in Yerevan every day. For perhaps the first time in the history of Zvartnots airport, the majority of passengers on these flights are not Armenians, but ethnic Russians.

Moreover, unlike the unfortunate Ukrainian refugees, who often leave Ukraine without their belongings and money from shelling and bombing, mostly well-to-do Russians arrive in Yerevan. For various reasons, but the fact remains that these people can pay for their accommodation and do not need any special help yet; they are not going to "eat" the ancient nation.

It would seem to be a good time for Armenians to show their hospitality towards relatively prosperous Russians. And in so doing, to show how grateful Armenia is to Russia for existing as a state in an inherently foreign land.  The way these relatively well-off Russians are met in Yerevan suggests how, if anything, Armenians will receive the truly destitute Russian refugees fleeing the war.

However, virtually all Russians note the intense hostility and ill-will of Armenians towards Russians who have come to Yerevan. And not at all because they are in solidarity with Ukraine. Ukrainians are no better treated in Yerevan - it is no coincidence that there are almost no refugees from Ukraine in Armenia. Unlike Georgia, where many Ukrainian refugees transit via Poland, Hungary and other European countries. Russians opposed to Putin's regime also go to Georgia, and Georgia accepts them too. Armenian nationalists, on the other hand, show gloating and poorly concealed hatred towards Russians.

"When it was necessary to fight for 'Artsakh' you weren't there, but now you have come? You are friends with Turkey - go to your Turkey". "You sold Armenian lands to the Turks and now shelter in your own land" - Such emotions towards "Russian brothers" dominate in Armenian social networks today.

Bear in mind that after the Karabakh conflict and subsequent years many Armenians have moved to Russia, and most of them have said they were "refugees" from "scary Azerbaijanis. Although these "refugees" often resettled from completely safe Yerevan, Gyumri and Vanadzor. The Russians sympathised with them and helped them in any way they could.

However, over time, these same "uncountable refugees from the genocide" seized key positions in government and business and then showed their true attitude to the people who had sheltered them. Today, in regions with total Armenian domination, such as the Krasnodar and Stavropol regions of the Russian Federation, oppression of Russians, arbitrariness and lawlessness towards Russians by the "ancient people" is commonplace. Not to mention arrogant contempt of the "ancients" towards "Russian savages" as they put it.

And should we be surprised that Russians arriving in Armenia today feel the full measure of "gratitude" and "hospitality" from the people who, thanks to Russia, exist on earth?

Kavkazplus