Armenian truck drivers called for a review of travel conditions to Russia.

Trucking truck drivers at a protest called on the Armenian government to follow the example of Kazakhstan's authorities and press Russia to ease restrictions on the length of stay for foreign truckers.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," on October 13, truck drivers held a protest outside the Armenian government building. They demanded that the government reach an agreement with Russia and resolve the issue of restrictions on the length of stay for truckers in Russia. The protesters declared their readiness to continue protesting if the government fails to take steps to resolve the issue.

Truck drivers held another protest in front of the Armenian government building. They are once again demanding negotiations with the Russian side and an easing of the stay period for foreign citizens in Russia, News.am reports.

The protesters noted that Kazakhstan had succeeded in easing the conditions for its drivers. They believe that Armenia should also try to resolve this issue, the publication states.

On October 10, Kazakh MP Bolatbek Aliyev announced that Russia had temporarily lifted the stay requirement for drivers from Kazakhstan engaged in international freight and passenger transportation.

Kazakhstani carriers are no longer subject to the "90-day stay requirement."

"After several days of intense work, the result is in. Our government contacted its colleagues in the Russian Federation through operational channels, and last night a decision was made not to apply new migration restrictions to drivers engaged in international freight and passenger transportation. This means that: Kazakhstani carriers are no longer subject to the "90-day stay" rule; mass deportations and fines have been stopped; thousands of jobs have been preserved - primarily at small auto enterprises where our drivers work," he wrote on his Facebook page*.

As a reminder, on January 1, 2025, amendments to the Migration legislation: citizens of visa-exempt countries entering for non-work purposes may stay in the country for no more than 90 days per year (previously, 90 days were allowed every 180 days). The new rules also apply to drivers transporting passengers and freight.

The only highway that allows travel from Russia to Georgia and Armenia and back is the Georgian Military Highway. At the same time, traffic jams, including those caused by heavy trucks, regularly form at the Verkhniy Lars checkpoint on the Russian border. On April 27, for example, approximately 3,400 trucks were waiting in line at the checkpoint. A week later, the queue had shrunk to 2,200 heavy-duty trucks.

Caucasian Knot compiled advice for those traveling along the Georgian Military Highway by car in the guide "To Georgia by Car: How to Avoid Getting Stuck at the Verkhniy Lars Checkpoint".