U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has briefed President Donald Trump on the latest agreements signed with Armenia during his visit to Yerevan.

Secretary Rubio highlighted that a “great new relationship” between the U.S. and Armenia is emerging after the U.S.-brokered Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal.

“One of the places I stopped in last night was to initial the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity in Armenia. This is a key linchpin of the peace deal that you were able to achieve between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” Rubio told President Trump during a Cabinet meeting.

“In addition to that we also signed a critical minerals MoU with them and a strategic engagement one as well. So, just a reminder of another war you helped to settle Mr. President. From that, we are now seeing the emergence of a great new relationship with Armenia, that really had grown stagnant for a long period of time. So we are doing well on that front as well,” Rubio added.

The U.S. Secretary of State visited Armenia on May 26 to sign several cooperation agreements — the Framework for Securing Supply in the Mining and Processing of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths, the initialing of the Framework Agreement on Strategic Cooperation concerning the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), and the Charter on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Armenian Minister of High-Tech Industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan lauded the domestic defense industry on Thursday after the Republic Day military parade showcased some homegrown innovations.

“Important samples of the domestic military industry were also displayed during the festive military parade held on the occasion of Republic Day,” the minister said, posting a photo of the Dragonfly-3, a combat UAV produced by Davaro Defense Systems, an Armenian drone maker and advanced AI-powered software company.

“I thank our domestic defense industry for its innovation, hard work, and dedication,” he wrote on social media. 

The Republic Day military parade highlighted recent reforms in the Armenian Armed Forces, including new armaments, both foreign-supplied and homegrown.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan indicated on Thursday that the implementation of the TRIPP project with the United States does not depend on the finalization of the initialed peace deal with Azerbaijan.

“The TRIPP project has no direct linkage to the signing and ratification of the peace treaty. A separate agreement is being signed, and that agreement will be implemented,” the Prime Minister said.

Armenia and the United States initialed the Framework Agreement on Strategic Cooperation concerning the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) on May 26 during Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Yerevan.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday that the country’s law enforcement and institutional systems are strong enough to prevent any coup attempt, commenting on former President Robert Kocharyan’s remarks about the possibility of a “revolution” if victory is “stolen” from him in the June 7 elections.

“The law enforcement and institutional system of Armenia is sufficiently established to crush any coup attempt in its infancy,” the Prime Minister said at a press briefing when asked to comment on the ex-president’s remarks. Kocharyan is running for parliament with his Armenia Alliance.

Pashinyan, who leads the ruling Civil Contract party’s re-election bid, said it was pointless to comment on Kocharyan’s perceptions about winning elections.

“If Robert Kocharyan has lost his sense of reality to such an extent that he thinks he can win parliamentary elections in the Republic of Armenia, then I consider any comment on that pointless. One can only pity the man,” he said.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Armenia and the U.S. will work together to create a new geological map of Armenia.

“Critical minerals have gained significant importance in the context of the development of artificial intelligence,” Pashinyan said at a press briefing when asked by Armenpress to provide details about the Framework for Securing Supply in the Mining and Processing of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths signed between Armenia and the United States on May 26.

“The purpose of the memorandum is the exploration of Armenia’s subsoil using modern technologies. There are minerals that 40 or 50 years ago, apart from scientific interest, did not generate significant attention, but today they are of key importance for artificial intelligence and the production of technological products,” the Prime Minister noted.

Pashinyan added that the subsoil is not always explored through drilling anymore:

“We will work on developing a new geological map of Armenia using space-based research,” he said.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said his administration will continue to work with Russia “calmly” to address all outstanding issues when asked about Moscow’s recent statements on a potential increase in the price of supplied gas.

“Our strategy remains the same — we will continue to work calmly with our partners in the Russian Federation and resolve all our issues,” the Prime Minister said.

Moscow has said that Armenia could lose its preferential price for imported Russian gas if it chooses to leave the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Russia sells natural gas to Armenia for $177.50 per thousand cubic meters, while in Europe it costs up to $633 per thousand cubic meters. Pashinyan has said that Armenia does not plan to leave the EAEU but will continue its EU integration reforms.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday that Armenia does not plan to withdraw from the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and, moreover, seeks to utilize its membership to advance its economic interests.

Speaking at a press briefing, he emphasized that Armenia continues its policy of diversifying export and import directions.

“We are saying that we are not only not planning to leave the Eurasian Economic Union, but we also intend to use our leverage and our engagement to protect our country’s economic interests,” the Prime Minister said.

He said that the diversification of export and import directions is not a new process, and that growth in trade turnover has already been recorded across various directions.

Pashinyan lauded the opening of the Akhalkalaki–Kars railway for Armenia’s exports.

“I am very pleased that the Akhalkalaki–Kars railway has been opened for Armenia’s exports, and in the near future business delegations will travel to explore potential markets via this railway,” he said, adding that invitations from partners have already been received.

According to the Prime Minister, the potential of the EAEU has not yet been fully utilized, particularly as Armenia’s trade and economic relations with Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan remain limited.

“With the opening of the railway, significant potential has emerged to develop trade and economic relations between Armenia and Kazakhstan, and between Armenia and Kyrgyzstan, through Azerbaijan,” Pashinyan said.

He recalled that alongside the first operation of the railway, Armenia also signed a deal for the import of grain from Kazakhstan.

“We see potential in the EAEU, and we will continue to work calmly, in a partnership spirit, to resolve all issues,” the Prime Minister said.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk earlier said that the issue of Armenia’s status in the Eurasian Economic Union will be discussed at the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meeting scheduled for May 29 in Astana. Overchuk noted that Russia does not want Armenia to leave the EAEU but warned of possible consequences amid Armenia’s EU integration course.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that the Armenian economy is not at risk and that all outstanding issues with Russia will be resolved.

Speaking at a press briefing, Pashinyan reiterated that he has a relationship of trust with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

“I have a relationship of trust with the President of Russia and the head of the Russian government. This is not the first time that issues arise that require clarification,” Pashinyan said.

He reiterated that Armenia–Russia relations are currently in a phase of transformation.

“I have previously said that Armenia–Russia relations are in a phase of transformation. And I consider this a positive transformation,” the Armenian PM said.

Pashinyan also emphasized that similar processes have taken place in the past as well, but they were resolved in a working manner.

“We have received such letters several times over the past eight years. I am confident that this time as well we will find solutions,” he said, referring to the warning by Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev regarding a possible revision of a gas supply deal.

According to the Prime Minister of Armenia, the country’s engagement within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) provides an opportunity to resolve issues through constructive dialogue.

“I am the only official who is a member of the EAEU Intergovernmental Council and the Supreme Council. I want you to imagine the scale of this leverage and the opportunities it provides,” Pashinyan said.

He said these opportunities will allow continued cooperation and the finding of mutually acceptable solutions.

“I believe these tools will enable us to find solutions to issues through the path of constructive dialogue,” the Prime Minister said.

Pashinyan said that Armenia’s economy faces no threat.

“Nothing threatens the economy of the Republic of Armenia. Billions in investments await the economy of the Republic of Armenia,” he stated.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said his administration has thwarted attempts by the former “Karabakh pseudo-elite” to undermine statehood and draw Armenia into renewed conflict.

He accused what he described as the “Karabakh pseudo-elite” of seeking to influence domestic politics and destabilize the country, while announcing plans to disclose lists of their lavish assets in Armenia and pursue confiscation under stolen asset recovery mechanisms.

Pashinyan also said the government plans to allocate around 800 billion drams (over $2 billion) over the next decade to support housing programs for displaced people from Karabakh in Armenia, who he said had been held hostage by the “pseudo-elites.”

Pashinyan was asked to clarify his recent controversial “Why didn’t you die?” remark.

“My remarks were addressed to the Karabakh pseudo-elite and their associated circles. They fled under the leadership of Samvel Shahramanyan, and now they have come back and are trying to drag the people of Armenia into war again,” he said, referring to the last leader of Karabakh before the Azerbaijani takeover in 2023.

“The so-called pseudo-elite of Karabakh will be uprooted from the Republic of Armenia. Today they have come and are speaking about the Karabakh issue… they must explain where they have been, what they have done other than fleeing—nothing,” he said.

“This rhetoric does not refer to those who could have died and did not, but to those who chose not to die under any circumstances. In my son’s case, his trench comrades were killed by a shell. My family was in Karabakh, and this has become the subject of much discussion. The Karabakh pseudo-elites, who have fled every time, have now returned and are trying to drag Armenia back into conflict. They have also kept the people of Karabakh hostage, with one goal—to undermine Armenia’s statehood, including through a corridor via Meghri. We have thwarted all those plans.

There was a plan, led by [ex-president] Robert Kocharyan, to hand over Meghri and Syunik, which has been published. The October 27 attack was carried out for the implementation of that plan, and I am proud that I have thwarted it,” Pashinyan said.

The October 27 terrorist attack in 1999 killed then-Prime Minister Vazgen Sargsyan and Speaker Karen Demirchyan, as well as several other high-ranking officials and legislators, during Kocharyan’s presidency.

According to Pashinyan, all representatives of the Karabakh pseudo-elite must explain why they were not on the front line and why they fled during the war.

“There is a list of all those who fled. In the near future, we will publish lists of the assets of the Karabakh pseudo-elite in the Republic of Armenia so that the picture becomes clear. Today, they are preventing our people from Karabakh from settling down. We plan to allocate 800 billion drams over the next 10 years so that these people can eventually settle, calm down, and move beyond the mentality of wanderers and migrants. However, a small group of runaway pseudo-elite does not want to leave the people in peace; therefore, the activity of this pseudo-elite must be neutralized. Through the system of confiscation of illegal assets, we will take away those dozens and hundreds of houses one by one; this will definitely happen in the near future. That is why I am asking for a mandate from the people of Armenia and [displaced persons] from Karabakh,” Pashinyan said.