Pashinyan Says Armenia Will Stay In EAEU

Jane Topchian Leave a comment
Eurasia Daily
May 28 2026
 May 28, 2026  

By PanARMENIAN

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Armenia is not preparing to leave the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and warned that such statements could undermine the bloc itself.

Speaking during the Civil Contract party’s election campaign event in Abovyan, Pashinyan said he remains the only EAEU official simultaneously serving in two supreme governing bodies.

“All those statements are meaningless. Those making them do not understand that they are digging the grave of the EAEU,” Pashinyan said, according to Armenpress.

He noted that Armenia’s deputy prime minister would attend the upcoming EAEU meeting because he is currently on leave.

“After June 7, if I receive your mandate and return to work, you will see that all alarming statements will be neutralized,” he added.

According to Pashinyan, opposition forces linked to the “party of war” fail to realize the consequences of their rhetoric.

“I advise them to step back from that path. I will return to the EAEU format, look my partners directly in the eye, place all arguments on the table, and I assure you that no problems will arise,” he stated.

Pashinyan said Armenia would no longer depend on a single route, ally or pipeline.

“We already have an East-West railway. We have the Akhalkalaki-Kars railway, and TRIPP will open soon. A gas pipeline will also pass through our territory. Through this transit, we will have our own gas, and we will be paid in gas for that transit. We will also develop alternative energy,” the prime minister said.

He added that Armenia would continue remaining in the EAEU while also pursuing reforms aligned with European standards.

“When the moment for a choice comes, you will make that choice. Armenia is becoming a crossroads of peace, and the north, south, east and west must present their best offers to the Armenian people,” Pashinyan stated.

He also commented on remarks by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who had claimed that Armenia was not needed by anyone. According to Pashinyan, Lukashenko is now actively warning that Armenia is moving toward the European Union and has intensified efforts through his “agent” to keep Armenia under external control, Radar Armenia reports.

On May 27, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the Russian Embassy in Armenia had officially delivered a letter from Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilyov warning about the possible suspension or unilateral cancellation of a 2013 agreement if Armenia continues the process of joining the European Union. The agreement concerns cooperation in the supply of natural gas, petroleum products and unprocessed natural diamonds.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov later stated that preferential gas tariffs for Armenia are one of the forms of Russian support. According to him, any discounts are provided at Russia’s expense and viewed as assistance to a brotherly country.

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The new coat of arms of the Armenian Armed Forces approved the surrender of th

Dabaghian Diana Leave a comment
Eurasia Daily
May 28 2026
The new coat of arms of the Armenian Armed Forces approved the surrender of the country’s territories

The Armenian army has scandalously changed one of the main symbols — the coat of arms of the country’s Armed Forces. The new emblem depicts the flag of Armenia, with a map of the country on it. This card was previously on the coat of arms There was no Armenian Armed Forces at all.

“With all the understanding of the schematics of the image, it is striking that the map does not quite correspond to the borders of the Armenian SSR at the time of the collapse — that is, in fact, the coat of arms of the Armenian Armed Forces declares and asserts the surrender of Armenian territories. As, by the way, is Pashinyan’s party,” writes  on this occasion.

In the old version, according to The Ministry of Defense of Armenia made a gross mistake in the image of the national flag: it is not shown as a whole, but torn into separate ribbons and pieces.

“Such a distortion can symbolically be interpreted as a split, fragmented or non—integral state,” said Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan.

In the interpretation The Armenian MO on the new coat of arms of the eagle has been completely rethought. Now he is depicted as a “full-fledged living being with a whole body.” A round golden shield decorated with an “Armenian eight-pointed sun cross” is placed on the eagle’s chest, and in the center there is a grain as the central symbol of the Armenian Army. It is argued that the grain represents the future warriors who, in the forge of war, must germinate, become a tree and fruit, and again give seed as a sign of eternal continuity. The shield on the eagle is a symbol of protection. At the same time, the “grain” is depicted in the form of a simple quadrangle, and it is possible to guess the symbol of the “future warriors” in it only with a very developed imagination.

“Particular indignation was caused not so much by the map of the country presented in its “reformed” version as by the absence of a Christian cross, which occupied a central place on the shield on the old coat of arms. The “Cross of Ashot II the Iron”, the 10th—century shahin shah of Armenia and Georgia, who is considered the patron saint of the army, is still not a fully Christian symbol, but rather a “departmental” one. Such a replacement of symbols may be related to Pashinyan’s desire to limit the role of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the life of society,” the publication believes.

Making adjustments to state symbols requires approval not by the army, but by the parliament, which means open discussions. Apparently, these discussions were conducted in a hidden mode and turned out to be so uncomfortable for the current Armenian authorities that they decided not to submit the issue of state symbols to the parliament for consideration.

More details: 
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‘New army, new weapons’: military parade in Yerevan marks Republic Day

Emil Lazarian Leave a comment
JAM News
May 28 2026
  • JAMnews
  • Yerevan

Armenia is marking Republic Day. A military parade took place on Republic Square in central Yerevan. The government showcased modern weapons and military equipment that the armed forces have added to their arsenal in recent years.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in his speech that “Armenia’s military cooperation network” now spans seven countries. Until recently, Armenia had effectively relied on a single main arms supplier — Russia. The prime minister stressed that international arms markets opened up to Armenia after agreements reached in Prague on 6 October 2022.

That day, leaders held a four-party meeting during the summit of the European Political Community in Prague. The meeting brought together President of the European Council Charles Michel, French President Emmanuel Macron, Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. After the meeting, Armenia and Azerbaijan recognised each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty under the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration.

According to Pashinyan, international arms and military equipment markets had previously remained largely inaccessible to Armenia.

He said “international partners refused to supply weapons because they believed Armenia would use them outside its internationally recognised territory”, referring to Nagorno-Karabakh.

During the parade, Armenia also showcased domestically produced weapons and military equipment, including strike and reconnaissance drones.

“Since 2022, Armenia’s government has invested around 170 billion drams (approximately $466 million) in the military-industrial sector. And we have achieved results we can now be proud of,” the prime minister said.

According to Nikol Pashinyan, Armenian-made weapons and military equipment are “taking their first but confident steps towards securing stable positions on the international market”.

Drones, including domestically produced models, showcased at parade

The military parade featured modern reconnaissance and strike drones. Armenia showcased both foreign-made UAVs and domestically produced systems.

The parade presenter told attendees that Armenian-made drones represent unique technological solutions. He said cooperation between the Military-Industrial Committee, the armed forces and local private companies made their development possible.

Among the systems on display was the locally produced giant UAV “Aghegh” (“Bow”), a multifunctional drone designed for reconnaissance, target detection and strike missions.

The drone has a wingspan of 18 metres and a length of 8.5 metres. It can fly at a speed of 200 km/h for up to 28 hours. The UAV can reach an altitude of 8,600 metres above sea level and has a flight range of 2,000 kilometres.

Fighter jets over Yerevan

The parade also featured new helicopters and aircraft that have recently entered the country’s air force arsenal.

They included multirole helicopters, Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets and Sukhoi Su-25 attack aircraft.

What else the parade showcased

Separate army units showcased new weapons systems, including precision-guided and AI-assisted equipment. The display also featured remotely operated robotic military systems and electronic warfare equipment.

Military vehicles and weapons systems that rolled across the square included:

  • Bastion armoured vehicles,
  • heavy artillery systems,
  • infantry rocket launchers,
  • air defence missile systems,
  • radar stations,
  • anti-tank guided missile systems,
  • mortar systems,
  • D-30 and “Tork” howitzers,
  • self-propelled artillery systems,
  • rocket artillery systems.

Fourteen military formations took part in the parade. Participants included defence ministry personnel, members of several units of the National Security Service of Armenia, female service members and cadets from military academies.

The event also featured a ceremonial honour guard performance.

An orchestra from the armed forces closed the parade. A group of children then entered the square and released doves into the sky as a symbol of peace.

Anyone interested in military equipment has the opportunity to take a closer look at the weapons systems showcased during the parade. Authorities will keep all of the equipment on display along one of the capital’s main avenues until the end of the day.

“Army is a factor for peace, not war” — Pashinyan

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said this year’s Republic Day comes under new “historic” conditions.

Pashinyan stressed that peace has been established between Armenia and Azerbaijan after nearly 35 years of conflict.

In Pashinyan’s view, the army remains the country’s most important state institution even in peacetime.

“Today, the Armenian army is a factor for peace, not war, because a country without a capable and strong army can become a tempting target for aggression. We cannot allow such a situation,” Nikol Pashinyan said.

Pashinyan stressed the importance of showing Armenians a renewed army equipped with new weapons, uniforms and ideology. According to him, that ideology rests on a simple principle:

“The army’s only mission is to defend Armenia’s internationally recognised sovereign territory.”

The prime minister explained that the army should not operate outside the country’s borders except as part of peacekeeping missions. He said the government’s approach made it possible for Armenia to achieve what the country showcased during the parade.е.

According to Nikol Pashinyan, the military parade served as a kind of report not only to Armenia’s citizens, but also to soldiers who died for the homeland.

He has repeatedly said that Armenia became more independent, sovereign and secure at the cost of their lives.

Participants in the military parade honoured their memory with a minute of silence. Artillery salutes then followed in their honour.

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Trump endorses Pashinyan ahead of Armenia’s high-stakes, historic elections

Arbi Tashjian Leave a comment
Euronews
May 28 2026

Trump endorsed PM Pashinyan by calling on Armenians to “Make Armenia Great Again“ ahead of the decisive June elections. The US and EU’s support for Armenia’s pro-West course and Russia’s mounting economic pressure to counter Pashinyan mark the geopolitical juncture.

US President Donald Trump expressed on Thursday his “complete and total endorsement for re-election” of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in the upcoming election, the first time a US president has endorsed a candidate in a country on Russia’s regional orbit.

In a post on his Truth Social network, Trump called Pashinyan a “great friend and leader,” adding that he is “making his country strong, wealthy, and very secure” ahead of Armenia’s decisive elections on 7 June, fiercely contested between the Armenian premier’s camp and the opposing forces supported by Russia.

Referring to Pashinyan signing a historic peace agreement at the White House with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev last year, Trump said that “Nikol completely shares my vision of peace and prosperity for Armenia and the entire South Caucasus region”.

The Armenian PM thanked Trump “for the high appreciation,” adding the US and Armenian flags side by side in his brief response on X.

Trump linked his rare endorsement to the “strategic” deals signed earlier this week in Yerevan by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his Armenian counterpart, signalling the reinforced US involvement in the region.

“Soon, the United States and Armenia will break ground together on the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, which will transform the South Caucasus, and help our wonderful American energy companies gain access from Central Asia all the way to the United States,” Trump said.

“With Nikol’s help, we will bring the United States, Armenia, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia to greater heights than ever before,” ending the post by proclaiming “Make (Armenia) Great Again — MAGA!”

Trump’s endorsement echoes French President Emmanuel Macron’s statement during the recent European Political Community summit in Yerevan.

At the summit, the French leader said that with Armenia’s “turn toward Europe, we are now witnessing the opening of a new era” for the South Caucasus country, which under Pashinyan is now building its peaceful future alongside its former rival Azerbaijan as well as Turkey.

Appearing next to Trump in the White House on Wednesday, Rubio reiterated that the US “signed a critical minerals agreement with Armenia, a reminder of another war President Trump helped settle,” referring to the historic Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement.

“We are seeing the emergence of a great new relationship with Armenia that really had grown stagnant for a long period of time,” Rubio added.

The critical rare-earth minerals, vital to modern technologies, and the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) trade routing deals between Armenia and the US are not only major economic achievements for Washington, but also signal a crucial US geopolitical pivot in a region dominated economically by Russia and sought after by China too.

Trump’s endorsement and the latest deals agreed with Yerevan continue cementing Pashinyan’s push for Armenia’s pro-Western course, as he continues campaigning head-on against an opposition openly supported by Russia.

Amid widespread allegations of Russian interference in Armenia’s election campaign, the Kremlin has ramped up its repeated warnings to Yerevan for its western path, threatening that it would end its cheap gas and oil supplies and enforce further bans on key Armenian exports to Russia, both of which are vital to Armenia.

In a repeat of tactics used on Georgia and Moldova before, in addition to the critical energy threat, Russia increased its economic pressure on Pashinyan’s government by banning Armenian exports of mineral water, wines and brandy in an apparent show of consequences of a possible Pashinyan victory on 7 June.

Pashinyan has so far avoided openly confronting Moscow. He however continued attacking his opponents, accusing them of working with foreign intelligence services.

In a direct rebuke of Belarus leader Aliaksandr Lukashenka, who said “Armenia is not needed by anyone,” Pashinyan said on Thursday that “Armenia is no longer a country of thousands and tens of thousands, but a country of billions and trillions.”

“This is no longer a country that you and your partners robbed,” Pashinyan concluded.

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Armenia Joins the Rare Earth Chessboard as Washington Expands Critical Mineral

Yeghisabet Arthur Leave a comment
May 28 2026
Armenia Joins the Rare Earth Chessboard as Washington Expands Critical Mineral Hunt


Highlights

  • Armenia and the U.S. signed a framework agreement on critical minerals and rare earth supply chain cooperation.
  • A new satellite-assisted geological map of Armenia will target minerals overlooked during Soviet-era surveys.
  • No commercial deposits or reserves were announced; the initiative represents early-stage strategic positioning.
  • Washington is expanding critical mineral partnerships with smaller nations outside China’s industrial influence sphere.
  • The AI era is driving governments to reframe geology as a national security priority in the global resource race.

Armenia and the United States are moving deeper into strategic critical mineral cooperation, this time targeting something foundational: a modern geological map of Armenia. The initiative follows a newly signed U.S.-Armenia framework agreement on critical minerals and rare earth supply chains and signals Washington’s growing effort to identify alternative mineral sources outside China’s orbit. For investors, the story is less about immediate production and more about early-stage positioning in a widening geopolitical resource race tied to AI, defense, robotics, and advanced manufacturing.

Satellites, Subsoil, and Strategic Metals

As reported by Panarmenian, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan confirmed that Armenia and the United States will use modern geological and space-based technologies to create a new mineral map of the country. That matters because many minerals now critical to AI systems, semiconductors, defense electronics, EVs, and permanent magnets were historically overlooked when older Soviet-era geological work was conducted. Pashinyan specifically emphasized that rare minerals have become strategically important because of artificial intelligence and modern technology manufacturing.

Washington’s New Frontier Strategy

This is not yet a mining breakthrough. No commercial deposits, feasibility studies, processing plans, or rare earth reserves were announced. But geological mapping is where modern mineral strategy begins. The bigger signal is geopolitical: Washington appears increasingly willing to build critical mineral partnerships in smaller nations sitting outside China’s industrial sphere of influence. For Rare Earth Exchanges™ readers, the story fits a broader pattern now emerging globally: the AI era is forcing governments to rethink geology as national security.

And the race is no longer just about mines. It is about discovering what the West forgot it had.

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Thanks to Nikol: Rosselkhoznadzor restricts import of vegetables and fruits fr

Ophelia Vardapetian Leave a comment
Eurasia Daily
May 28 2026
Thanks to Nikol: Rosselkhoznadzor restricts import of vegetables and fruits from Armenia

From this Saturday, the import of fruit and vegetable products from Armenia will be limited. This was reported today, May 28, in Rosselkhoznadzor.

“Starting from May 30, 2026, the Rosselkhoznadzor introduces temporary restrictions on the import of fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, green crops and strawberries originating and departing from Armenia until the development of an appropriate algorithm to ensure the safety of shipped products,” the message says.

As EADaily reported, earlier, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at a pre-election meeting in the city of Garni that Armenia is not afraid of rising commodity prices in case of worsening ties with Russia, as he intends to get rich by turning the country into a “crossroads of the world.”

More details: https://eadaily.com/en/news/2026/05/28/thanks-to-nikol-rosselkhoznadzor-restricts-import-of-vegetables-and-fruits-from-armenia

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Pashinyan broke up: I will not let Lukashenko “use the EAEU against Armenia”

Vanyan Gary Leave a comment
Eurasia Daily
May 28 2026
Today
14:30

Armenia is not going to leave the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and all panic statements will be neutralized after June 7. This was announced by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

According to him, all the statements about Armenia’s possible withdrawal from the EAEU are groundless, and “those who make such statements do not understand that they are digging the grave of the EAEU.” Pashinyan noted that after the parliamentary elections on June 7, he will resume work in the EAEU.

“The upcoming meeting of the EAEU will be attended by the Acting Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister. After June 7, if I receive a mandate, I will return to work, and you will see that all panic statements will be neutralized. I will return to the EAEU format, look my colleagues straight in the eye, put all the arguments on the table…” said Pashinyan.

According to him, “we will not rely on one road, one ally, one pipeline.”

“We have a railway from the West to Vostok, the Akhalkalaki—Kars railway was opened earlier, and before that the railway was opened through the territory of Azerbaijan,” the Armenian Prime minister said.

In addition, according to him, Armenia expects to receive its own gas through transit through its territory, as well as develop its own energy sector.

“As long as Armenia is able to be a member of the EAEU and continue reforms according to European standards, we will follow this path. As soon as the time comes to make a choice, the people of Armenia will make that choice. My great merit is that the people have an alternative so that no one can say: “Who needs Armenia, where will it go,”” he said.

Pashinyan added that he was referring to Alexander Lukashenko’s earlier statements that Armenia “is not needed by anyone” and “is not expected anywhere.”

“Now the same person says that Armenia is going to the European Union, and has activated his agent here to bind Armenia, as it was before 2018. I’ll be blunt. Armenia is not only not going to leave the EAEU, but I am the only official who is in two governing bodies of the Union at the same time. I am going to use these levers and I will use them so that Lukashenka will not be able to use the EAEU against Armenia,” the Armenian Prime Minister said.

Recall that due to Pashinyan’s policy, relations between Armenia and Belarus have deteriorated significantly. In addition, Yerevan announced a course towards European integration. In this regard, Russian President Vladimir Putin has already warned Armenia that simultaneous participation in the customs union with the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union is “simply impossible by definition.”

More details: https://www.eadaily.com/en/news/2026/05/28/pashinyan-broke-up-i-will-not-let-lukashenko-use-the-eaeu-against-armenia

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Pashinyan wants to make Armenia dependent on Azerbaijani energy sources – poli

Emil Lazarian Leave a comment
Aysor, Armenia
May 28 2026

Political analyst Beniamin Matevosyan considers it possible that Russia will suspend or increase the gas tariff for Armenia.

“After all, they are the owners of all this and, depending on the positions of the Armenian authorities, they can review economic relations with Armenia, which is happening,” the political analyst said in an interview with Aysor.am.

According to Matevosyan, this is an accepted option in the world: “Look at how Donald Trump is reviewing economic relations with the EU in all areas – from supplies to energy exports, and even to agricultural products. Since the EU is no longer perceived as an ally in the US under this administration, they are being treated accordingly. The same is now happening in our case. Russia is not inventing anything new.” 

As for alternative energy sources, the expert noted: “We are currently receiving gas and other energy resources from Iran, but due to production volumes and quality, Iran cannot fully replace Russia. However, Nikol Pashinyan does not need this, because he wants to make Armenia dependent on Azerbaijani energy sources.” 

Matevosyan also referred to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s statement that “we will have our own gas,” calling it nonsense. “That does not even stand up to basic calculations. Starting from 2024, Gazprom Armenia will purchase 150 billion drams worth of gas from Russia and distribute it in Armenia, while we will not receive that 150 billion in transit revenues, which would fall under the TRIPP framework. This person is simply lying – he wants us to buy gas from Azerbaijan and become dependent on it in terms of energy.” 

On whether Azerbaijani gas would be cheaper than Russian gas, the expert said: “Even if it is cheaper, if you buy it and make yourself dependent on Azerbaijani energy carriers, you are giving Azerbaijan a tool of political pressure. Azerbaijan can say: fine, do you want gas at Russian prices? Then, for example, 300,000 Azerbaijanis must come to Armenia by the end of the year. This is the core problem.” 

Matevosyan emphasized that recent statements both from Armenia and Russia are not accidental: “The Russian Federation clearly shows that it will not work with Nikol Pashinyan as the leader of the Republic of Armenia. Whether it will work with Armenia depends on the outcome of elections. As for Armenian statements, they have returned to their basic logic. Just recall what Nikol Pashinyan said about the people of Artsakh and Russia in 2008. He also wrote an article in the early 2000s titled ‘We and Our Interests,’ where he argued against a corridor through Armenia that would benefit the US and Turkey. Now, in order to obtain that corridor, Artsakh had to be surrendered and Russia ‘expelled’ from the region – which he is now implementing step by step.” 

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that Russia would unilaterally suspend or cancel its agreements with Armenia on gas, oil products, and rough diamonds if Armenia’s EU integration process continues. 

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Lavrov: If Pashinyan thinks that Armenia will get rich without Russia, let him

Emil Lazarian Leave a comment
Eurasia Daily
May 28 2026
Lavrov: If Pashinyan thinks that Armenia will get rich without Russia, let him try

If Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says that Armenia will get rich without Russia, then let him try. This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in an interview with IS “Vesti”.

“I cannot comment on the statements of the Armenian leader. If he thinks that she will get richer, let her provide,” Lavrov said.

Earlier, at a meeting with voters in the city of Garni, Pashinyan said that Armenia is not afraid of high prices for raw materials in case of deterioration of ties with Russia, as the country “plans to get rich.”

As EADaily reported, according to the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova, Russia has already warned Armenia about the possible termination of the agreement on the supply of gas, petroleum products and diamonds if Yerevan joins the EU.

More details: https://eadaily.com/en/news/2026/05/28/lavrov-if-pashinyan-thinks-that-armenia-will-get-rich-without-russia-let-him-try

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Shoigu Stresses Importance of Russian Military Base in Armenia

Hambik Zargarian Leave a comment
DevDiscourse
May 28 2026

Sergei Shoigu, secretary of the Russian Security Council, asserted the importance of maintaining Russia’s military base in Armenia, amidst growing tensions driven by Armenia’s increased ties with Western countries. Shoigu emphasized the base’s crucial role in safeguarding Armenian security.

Key Takeaways

AI Summary

  • Sergei Shoigu emphasized the importance of Russia’s military base in Armenia amid rising tensions with Western nations.
  • He stated that the base is crucial for ensuring Armenia’s security in the current geopolitical landscape.
  • The statement reflects Armenia’s complex navigation of its international partnerships and security concerns.
  • Shoigu’s remarks highlight the ongoing discourse surrounding Armenia’s evolving geopolitical alliances.

Sergei Shoigu, secretary of the Russian Security Council, has underscored the significance of Russia maintaining its primary military base in Armenia, despite heightened tensions resulting from Armenia’s expanding relationships with Western nations.

In a recent statement, Shoigu highlighted that the military base serves a pivotal role in ensuring the security of Armenia itself, amidst the evolving geopolitical dynamics.

The ongoing discourse reflects the intricate balance of Armenia’s geopolitical alliances, as it navigates its security concerns and international partnerships.

(With inputs from agencies.)

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