As reported by the “Caucasian Knot,” the Central Election Commission of Armenia has registered all 19 political forces that applied to participate in the parliamentary elections. However, registration was denied to Tigran Urikhanyan, the number one candidate on the Alliance Party list, and blogger Vardan Ghukasyan, who held the first place on the Democracy, Law, and Discipline Party list, citing their lack of citizenship certificates and proof of residency in the country for the past four years.

The progressive centrist Alliance Party, registered as the 13th candidate for the regular elections to the National Assembly of Armenia, has withdrawn from the race. The Central Election Commission of Armenia annulled its registration at today’s extraordinary meeting.

The CEC received the party’s board’s decision to withdraw from the elections on May 25. At today’s meeting, Alliance representatives confirmed that they had made this decision, and therefore the commission invalidated the party’s registration, according to the Novosti Armenia news agency.

Alliance Party leader Tigran Urikhanyan, who was previously denied registration as the first candidate on the party list, admitted that his party has no chance of passing the threshold.

On Public Television, he stated that parties that remain in the election race under such conditions “facilitate the reproduction of the current government.” Urikhanyan presented his withdrawal from the elections as proof that his party is a “real, non-systemic opposition,” Aysor.am notes.

Thus, 18 political forces are now participating in the elections. “Caucasian Knot” also reported that 45 candidates for the Armenian parliament registered for the elections had previously withdrawn. Among those who withdrew from the election race were representatives of the Alliance, as well as candidates from the lists of the Republic, Against All, Bright Armenia, Armenian National Congress, Wings of Unity, Kochari – National Revival and Awakening of the Nation, and the Alliance of Democracy Defenders for the Republic parties.

Elections to the National Assembly of Armenia will be held on June 7. According to analysts, the parties of Samvel Karapetyan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and former President Robert Kocharyan will be the key competitors in the elections. Samvel Karapetyan’s “Strong Armenia,” along with Robert Kocharyan’s “Armenia” bloc and Gagik Tsarukyan’s “Prosperous Armenia” party, is one of the most pro-Russian parties in the Armenian parliamentary elections. The “Caucasian Knot” has prepared a report titled “2026 Elections to the National Assembly (Parliament) of Armenia.”

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Source: Caucasian Knot

YEREVAN, Armenia – May 27, 2026 – In a move signaling a major technological and geopolitical shift, the South Caucasus nation of Armenia today became home to one of the world’s most advanced artificial intelligence data centers. Eleveight AI announced the launch of its GPU-native AI Factory in Gagarin, a facility powered by NVIDIA’s state-of-the-art Blackwell B300 processors, marking the first deployment of this architecture in the region.

The project, representing an initial investment of up to $120 million, instantly positions Armenia as a new and formidable player in the high-stakes race for AI dominance. The facility is not just a commercial data center but a strategic national asset, designed to attract international AI workloads and catalyze a domestic innovation ecosystem.

A New Node on the Global AI Map

The Eleveight AI factory is engineered for massive scale, with plans to expand to a 35MW capacity. This level of computational power is designed to handle the most demanding large-scale generative AI workloads, from training foundational models to running complex inference tasks. By leveraging this infrastructure, the project aims to establish the South Caucasus as a viable and cost-efficient alternative to traditional AI compute markets in the United States and Western Europe.

This development comes as nations worldwide increasingly pursue ‘sovereign AI’—the capability to develop and control their own AI infrastructure, data, and models. Armenia, with its unique combination of lower energy costs, a growing pool of technical talent, and improving international connectivity, presents a compelling case for this new model of decentralized AI development.

The strategic importance of such infrastructure was underscored by Arman Aleksanian, Co-Founder and CEO of Eleveight AI. “AI infrastructure is becoming a geopolitical asset,” Aleksanian stated in the official announcement. “Our goal is to position Armenia as a serious participant in this global shift, not just as a user of AI, but as a place where it is built, trained, and deployed. In our next phase, we are considering expansion into markets across Central Asia and Europe.”

The Power of Blackwell

At the heart of the new AI factory lies the NVIDIA Blackwell B300 architecture, a technological marvel that represents a significant leap over previous GPU generations. Unveiled in early 2024, the Blackwell platform was purpose-built for the era of trillion-parameter AI models. The B300 GPU features a staggering 208 billion transistors and is equipped with up to 288 GB of high-speed HBM3e memory, enabling it to handle massive datasets and models with unprecedented efficiency.

Compared to its highly successful predecessor, the Hopper architecture, Blackwell delivers up to four times faster training performance and a 30-fold increase in inference speed for large language models. This dramatic boost in capability is coupled with a 25-fold improvement in energy efficiency, a critical factor for building sustainable, large-scale AI infrastructure. The interconnected nature of Eleveight AI’s GPU cluster places the Gagarin facility firmly in the category of supercomputer-class infrastructure, capable of tackling problems previously reserved for only the largest national labs and tech giants.

Forging ‘Sovereign AI’ Amid Geopolitical Shifts

The launch is more than a corporate milestone; it is a calculated move on the geopolitical chessboard. The project’s feasibility hinged on securing an export license from the United States for the advanced NVIDIA processors, a decision widely interpreted as a high-tech anchor intended to integrate Armenia more closely with the West and counter regional influence from Russia and Iran.

This initiative effectively allows Armenia to transform a key national advantage—an energy surplus from its nuclear, hydro, and solar sources—into a globally traded digital commodity: raw computational power. For a landlocked nation, this represents a profound opportunity to become a global exporter of digital intelligence.

However, the drive for sovereign capability is complex. While the government’s High-Tech Industry Ministry champions the development of local AI infrastructure to reduce reliance on external technologies, experts caution that true sovereignty for smaller nations involves strategically managing technological dependencies. The presence of international partners and technologies raises ongoing questions about data security and governance, highlighting the delicate balance between fostering global collaboration and protecting national interests in the digital age.

Cultivating a National Ecosystem

Eleveight AI’s factory does not exist in isolation. It is the commercial cornerstone of a broader, coordinated national strategy to establish Armenia as a regional hub for AI research and development. The government has declared the high-tech industry a national priority, fostering a business environment that has seen the sector’s turnover reach $2.3 billion, contributing roughly 7% of the nation’s GDP.

This growth is supported by a strong educational foundation in mathematics and engineering, which is being enhanced by new programs. Initiatives like “Generation AI” are embedding advanced AI curricula in public high schools, while Yerevan State University has already introduced its own GPU-based research systems.

Crucially, Eleveight AI is actively fueling this ecosystem by dedicating 20 percent of its total compute capacity to Armenian universities, research institutions, and non-commercial organizations. This commitment ensures that local students, researchers, and startups have access to world-class tools, creating a powerful feedback loop where the commercial infrastructure directly supports the development of the next generation of local talent and innovation.

By PanARMENIAN

Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II said during the annual clergy assembly at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin that the authorities are seeking to “divide and weaken the Church at any cost.”

“It is clear that the authorities are pursuing the goal of dividing and weakening the Church at any cost, obstructing the Church’s nationally beneficial and effective activities, and reducing its role in the life of our people, especially in preserving national identity, historical memory, and sanctified values,” he said.

Referring to global upheavals and especially military conflicts in the region, which he said have directly and indirectly affected national life, the Catholicos expressed deep concern over what he described as an “anti-church campaign” by Armenian authorities, persecution of clergy based on unfounded accusations, and interference undermining the Church’s autonomy.

“With violations of justice, new illegal restrictions are also being imposed on pastoral ministry, shrines remain seized, and in certain churches defrocked individuals continue through their anti-canonical and sacrilegious actions to disturb the spiritual feelings of believers and distort liturgical life. A vain attempt has been unleashed to justify repression through the alleged need to implement a so-called reform program of the Armenian Church,” the Catholicos said.

He expressed regret that several senior clerics and diocesan priests had also been drawn into the implementation of the publicly presented program through what he called false justifications.

He said some clergy members had arbitrarily signed service agreements with the Defense Ministry and the Penitentiary Service of the Justice Ministry, violating the rights of the Mother See, which, he added, would undoubtedly have disciplinary consequences.

Speaking about the ruling party’s electoral program, which includes proposals concerning the removal of the Church’s spiritual leader and other actions under a so-called “reform” agenda, the Catholicos said: “Such an approach toward spiritual life is unconstitutional and condemnable, contradicts the canonical principles of our Holy Church and constitutes direct interference in the Church’s self-governance, with all ensuing consequences. The artificially created ‘reform’ program is a false agenda. Reform of the Church cannot be carried out under pressure and dictates from authorities, accompanied by open slander and falsehoods. Renewal within the Church is a permanent internal process based exclusively on centuries-old ecclesiastical regulations ratified by church councils. Therefore, we must make every effort to defend the historically established rights of our Holy Church, guaranteed also by Armenian legislation and international declarations, and prevent the creation of such dangerous precedents in church life.”

Addressing the clergy, His Holiness said current trials must be overcome with dignity, strict respect for church canons and discipline.

“Today we are all obliged first and foremost to preserve the body of the Church intact, whole and united, and not allow external interference to divide the Church.

“…Faithfulness to the vow made before the altar of the Mother Cathedral must guide all our decisions and actions, so that the Church, unwavering in its mission, may forever remain an unceasing call to godly life, a courageous advocate of justice and truth, and an unyielding defender of the interests and rights of Christ’s followers.

“…Continue to provide pastoral care and address the needs of our people, encourage them to walk the path of love for God and reject ideas and actions harmful to the nation,” His Holiness said.

Discussions followed the speeches, with clergy presenting observations and proposals regarding the more effective organization of pastoral service.

On February 14, it became known that Armenia’s Prosecutor General’s Office had launched criminal proceedings against Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II over allegations of failing to comply with a judicial act in the case of the former head of the Masis Diocese, and had barred him from leaving Armenia.

With Election Day fast approaching, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government is hoping that shows of support from the United States and European Union will give it a boost at the polls.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio paid a brief visit to Yerevan on May 26, during which he signed a Charter on Comprehensive and Strategic Partnership together with his Armenian counterpart, Ararat Mirzoyan. The two also inked a framework agreement concerning the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, envisioned as a key cog in the Middle Corridor trade network and the centerpiece of the Armenian-Azerbaijani provisional peace agreement signed last August in Washington.

The documents appeared to contain little that could be considered new, and represented mostly a show of support for Pashinyan’s efforts to steer Armenia westward, breaking away from Russia’s geopolitical orbit.

Mirzoyan touted Rubin’s visit as evidence that the government’s foreign policy would foster greater prosperity. “Our comprehensive strategic relations between our two countries are stronger today than ever before,” Mirzoyan told journalists. “It would not be an exaggeration to say that we have entered a historically unprecedented phase.”   

Earlier, Pashinyan, while on the campaign trail, enticed voters with a promise that, if reelected, he would negotiate a visa-free travel regime with the European Union within two years. He added that he would also quickly resolve a host of domestic issues. “If I get a vote of confidence from you, I will address all issues within the framework of four principles. There are four principles: goods-services, workforce, finances, and seamless transit.”

Armenia’s parliamentary elections will take place on June 7. Polls show Pashinyan’s Civil Contract Party stands a good chance of retaining power in parliament, despite a low approval rating. 

Russia has mounted a pressure campaign in the hopes of undermining support for Pashinyan. His electoral opponents favor maintaining strong ties to Russia. In one of its latest moves, the Kremlin has banned imports of key Armenian goods, including flowers, fruits, brandy, and mineral water.

A top Kremlin official, Sergei Shoigu, characterized the ban as retaliation for “clearly unfriendly steps” taken by Yerevan.

By Eurasianet