Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov has said that Ukraine is ready for serious negotiations with Russia if Russia is genuinely prepared for such dialogue.

According to LRT, Budanov made the remarks while commenting on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s statement that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy should first call Russian President Vladimir Putin to arrange a meeting.

“If we speak seriously, then if Russia is truly ready for a serious conversation, Ukraine will also be ready,” Budanov said.

He stressed that Ukraine has repeatedly stated its readiness to end the war and achieve peace.

According to Budanov, the cessation of hostilities should not be seen as weakness.

“Establishing peace is not weakness, but a proof of common sense,” he said.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has shared videos showing rehearsals for the May 28 military parade.

One video shows Armenian-made reconnaissance and combat UAVs mounted on top of a pickup truck, while the other features what appears to be the CAESAR self-propelled howitzers, which Armenia bought from France.

Pashinyan earlier announced that the Armenian government will showcase military equipment acquired during his tenure during a May 28 Republic Day event in central Yerevan. He had previously said that the event would serve as a “report to citizens” on his administration’s defense reforms.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has responded to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who recently called on Armenia to swiftly choose between the EU and its current alliance, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

He suggested that Armenia should hold a referendum on the matter, and if the people chose the EU membership, then Moscow would draw conclusions and proceed with a “civil, soft, and mutually beneficial divorce.”

Speaking to reporters amid the campaigning season, Pashinyan said that he has previously discussed the matter with Putin.

“And I have said that until the moment when there is no need to make a choice—both de jure and de facto—we are not placing such an issue on the agenda. I also do not agree with the wording ‘divorce,’ because I have had the opportunity to say in parliament that we sometimes confuse interstate relations with marriage. I do not agree with that formulation. Armenia is guided in its interstate relations by an interstate logic. We are a full member of the EAEU, and as long as we are a member of the EAEU, we fully participate in all decision-making, and I repeat—so long as no necessity arises, we are not going to put forward any such issue. We will hold a referendum at the moment when there is an objective need for it. My assessment is that there is simply no such objective necessity. We treat our EAEU partners and our participation in the EAEU with great respect,” Pashinyan said.

He added that Armenia’s policy is entirely public and that nothing conspiratorial lies behind it:

“We have adopted a policy of balancing and a balanced foreign policy, one of the key principles of which is relations based on respect and mutual recognition of interests. And I have said before that we have not had, do not have, and will not have the goal of harming Russia’s interests; we will continue to be guided by Armenia’s national interests, and we will continue to deepen our relations with Russia, with the understanding that an inevitable transformation of those relations is taking place. And I want to say that this is not a matter of political taste, because one might interpret it as being connected to my personality or our political team. It is a process stemming from objective reality, and yes, a transformation of relations is taking place, and I assess this transformation positively. I also understand that there are certain questions, discomforts, and nuances that need clarification, but my assessment is that we must work through these issues calmly, quietly, without nerves, without unnecessary escalation, and we will proceed in that logic,” he said.

He stressed that he has “working relations” with the President of Russia based on mutual trust:

“We have discussed the most sensitive issues in a very calm, respectful, and friendly atmosphere, based on arguments and facts. I will continue in that logic. My respect to the President of Russia and to Russia. Again, we do not have the goal of harming Russia’s interests; we have not had it, and we will not have it, but we are also fully committed to the interests of our own state. Of course, we will also move forward with the logic of deepening our future relations with the EU and proceeding according to the law on launching the process of EU membership—that is, by deepening democratic reforms,” concluded Pashinyan.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Armenia does not intend to respond to every international statement or involve itself in global disputes, following Russian criticism over remarks made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the European Political Community summit in Yerevan.

Zelenskyy, speaking at the summit on May 4, said that Russia “fears drones may buzz over Red Square” during the Victory Day parade, and that this is why Moscow is holding the event without military equipment. This statement was seen as a threat by Moscow, which in turn criticized Armenia for not reacting to the statements made in Yerevan.

Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, the Prime Minister noted that the European Political Community summit is a multilateral platform, and that the status of the host country’s leader does not mean he is obliged to respond to all statements.

“I do not think that, in my capacity as the head of government of the host country, I should censor or necessarily respond to everything,” Pashinyan said.

According to him, various leaders express their positions in such forums.

“There have also been cases when, in my presence, the President of the Russian Federation made statements about different countries, but I do not remember Russia expecting me to respond to those statements,” the Prime Minister said.

Pashinyan stressed that Armenia is simultaneously a member of various international organizations, but this does not mean it should become involved in all global conflicts.

“The Republic of Armenia is a member of the European Political Community, a member of the EAEU, and a member of the CIS, but that does not mean we aim to interfere in all global affairs,” he said.

He stressed that Armenia is a small country focused on its own agenda.

“We are a small country with our own agenda, and we do not always consider it necessary to take the lead on global issues and make statements,” Pashinyan stated.

He added that Armenia seeks to play a modest role in ensuring global stability and peace.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced on Monday that he will not attend the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) summit on May 28 in Astana, Kazakhstan.

He told reporters that back on April 1, during a meeting at the Kremlin, he informed Russian President Vladimir Putin that he would not attend both the May 9 Victory Day events in Moscow and the May 28 Eurasian Economic Union meeting, citing the campaigning period in Armenia.

“I have informed in advance, also out of courtesy and as an _expression_ of respect, that I will not be able to participate in the May 9 parade in Moscow, and I have also informed that I will not be able to attend the EAEU meeting on May 28,” Pashinyan said at a press briefing during a campaign event for his Civil Contract party in Yerevan.

Pashinyan said he also notified Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev that he would not attend the Eurasian Economic Union summit in Astana.

The Prime Minister added that Armenia will be represented at the session by Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Monday that over the past three years, orders worth 170 billion AMD (roughly 460 million USD) have been placed in Armenia’s defense industry, resulting in the establishment of dozens of enterprises and factories.

Speaking at a press briefing in Yerevan, Pashinyan said the development of the defense industry should be viewed as a natural process for a developing country. He made the remarks when asked about a video he shared earlier in the day showing rehearsals for the May 28 Republic Day military parade, which featured homegrown reconnaissance-combat UAVs as well as what appeared to be the CAESAR self-propelled howitzers that Armenia purchased from France.

“I believe that in our assessments, we should be as free from pathos as possible because we need to understand that this is a normal phenomenon for a developing country,” the Prime Minister said when asked specifically about the development of the domestic defense industry.

According to him, the orders implemented in the defense industry have led to the creation of new production facilities.

“Over the past three years, we have placed orders worth 170 billion AMD in Armenia’s defense industry complex, resulting in the establishment of dozens of enterprises and factories that are manufacturing equipment,” Pashinyan noted.

The Prime Minister also urged citizens to attend the event planned at Yerevan’s Republic Square on May 28.

“All citizens of the Republic of Armenia should be present at Republic Square to recognize that the Republic of Armenia now has a new-quality, new-level, and new-logic military,” he said.

Pashinyan earlier announced that the Armenian government will showcase military equipment acquired during his tenure during a May 28 Republic Day event in central Yerevan. He had previously said that the event would serve as a “report to citizens” on his administration’s defense reforms.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Monday that Armenia and Azerbaijan have an agreement to continue the delimitation of their border from north to south.

Speaking at a press briefing during a campaign event in Yerevan, Pashinyan highlighted that a legal basis for the border delimitation process already exists between the two countries.

He reiterated that, according to the regulation on the joint activities of the delimitation commissions, signed in August 2024 and ratified in October, the Alma-Ata Declaration has been accepted as the fundamental principle for border delimitation between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“This means that Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed that the border that existed between Soviet Armenia and Soviet Azerbaijan should be recognized as the state border between the two countries,” the Prime Minister stated.

According to him, based on this framework, the issue of the parts of Armenian territory currently occupied by Azerbaijan should be resolved within the border delimitation process. “This issue, which of course is on the agenda of the Armenian people and government, must be resolved in this way, and it will be resolved in this way,” Pashinyan said.

The Prime Minister also noted that mutually acceptable solutions, as provided for in the regulations, may be part of the delimitation process.

Pashinyan further stated that there is already a publicly announced agreement to continue the process.

“We have an agreement, which has already been made public, that the delimitation will proceed from north to south. It is understood that in the sections where delimitation has already taken place, the border must be officially recorded, and these processes should be carried out transparently within the framework of the delimitation logic,” Pashinyan concluded.

At a Europe Day event in Yerevan, Deputy Foreign Minister Robert Abisoghomonyan emphasized the deepening partnership between Armenia and the European Union, describing relations as “closer than ever” across political, economic, and people-to-people dimensions. He highlighted recent milestones, including the European Political Community Summit and the first Armenia–EU summit held in the Armenian capital.

Below is the transcript of the Deputy Foreign Minister’s speech, as published by the Foreign Ministry.

“Your Excellencies, dear colleagues, dear guests, dear citizens,

I am pleased to welcome you to this event organized on the occasion of Europe Day. Europe Day is a celebration of peace, unity, solidarity, and shared values. It is a reminder that Europe is not only a geographical area; it is, first and foremost, a community formed around values and principles, where human dignity, democracy, freedom, and cooperation constitute the foundation of a common future.

It is symbolic that this year Europe Day in the Republic of Armenia is being marked under the slogan: “Armenia–EU: Closer Than Ever.” And indeed, today Armenia and the European Union are closer than ever—both in terms of political dialogue, economic cooperation, and increasingly developing people-to-people ties.

This year’s celebration has a special meaning for Armenia, as it comes just days after the 8th European Political Community Summit held in Yerevan, as well as the inaugural Armenia–EU Summit. During those days, Yerevan became an important center of European political dialogue, demonstrating Armenia’s growing role as a reliable platform for dialogue and partnership.

The European Political Community Summit reaffirmed the shared vision built around peace, cooperation, and solidarity. The Armenia–EU Summit marked one of the key milestones in the history of our relations, reflecting an unprecedented depth of partnership and a jointly forward-looking agenda.

Today, Armenia consistently advances its vision of peace and connectivity. The Crossroads of Peace initiative as well as the TRIPP project are aimed at creating new opportunities in the region through the development of transport, energy, and digital links. It is encouraging that new opportunities are also emerging for deepening Armenia–EU cooperation in this direction, as evidenced by the joint declaration on connectivity partnership signed within the framework of the Armenia–EU Summit.

Significant progress has also been recorded in the visa liberalization process with the EU. The first progress report presented by the European Commission reaffirmed the seriousness of reforms carried out by Armenia and its political commitment. The fact that the assessment was conducted in an unprecedentedly short period speaks both to the intensity of ongoing reforms and to the tangible results already achieved.

Perhaps the most important foundation of Armenia–EU relations is people. The ties formed in education, culture, youth exchanges, science, innovation, and business make our partnership real, tangible, and visible in people’s daily lives.

For Armenia and the Armenian people, the European Union is not just a partner. It is a space of peace, democracy, cooperation, and opportunity.

Dear attendees,

Today, as the world continues to face numerous challenges, it is all the more important to preserve the values and principles that unite us. I am confident that the Armenia–EU partnership will continue to develop, contributing to strengthening peace, stability, and prosperity both in our region and beyond.

Once again, I congratulate all of us on Europe Day.

Thank you.”

Armenia’s Foreign Ministry has proposed amendments to the diplomatic service law that would introduce smaller “diplomatic offices” in countries where maintaining a full embassy is not practical, place a five-year limit on ambassadors’ postings, and update regulations on diplomats’ salaries and compensation.

Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan presented the bill to lawmakers on Monday.

“There are countries where, from a financial or other perspective, it is not considered appropriate to open a full embassy, but there is still a need for a diplomatic presence. In such cases, we propose establishing a diplomatic office, which would be overseen by the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia accredited in that country,” the minister said in parliament.

The bill also proposes revising the terms of office for ambassadors and permanent representatives.

Diplomatic representatives would serve a maximum of five years in a single post, after which they could be reassigned to another country or an international organization. However, the total duration of two consecutive postings would be capped at eight years.

President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan received Janez Lenarčič, Head of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Observation Mission (ODIHR) in Armenia, the Presidential Office said in a readout.

Welcoming the guest, the President expressed gratitude for the mission’s many years of work in Armenia.

“You are currently in the Republic of Armenia on a very important mission. I can say that the role of the OSCE/ODIHR in the establishment of our democratic institutions, especially in the development of the electoral system, has been highly significant. I am confident that this time as well, with your support, assistance and the application of your methodology, we will hold democratic, free and transparent elections. As a result, the most important thing is that people are confident that their voice has truly been heard,” President Khachaturyan said.

Lenarčič, expressing gratitude for the reception, stated:

“It was in 1996 that the OSCE/ODIHR first conducted an observation mission in Armenia, and this time marks the 30th mission. Armenia has done very good work over these years, and I will not go into too much detail, because you yourself know this very well.”

During the meeting, the sides discussed the main directions and areas of the mission’s activities. Both sides emphasized the importance of vigilant oversight and consistent monitoring of electoral processes to ensure a higher standard of election administration and eliminate possible shortcomings.

The general socio-political atmosphere in the country ahead of the elections and possible developments were also discussed. In this context, President Khachaturyan and Lenarčič stressed the importance of strengthening the culture of political tolerance.

The sides emphasized that a responsible and fair election campaign conducted by all participants in the process is in the public interest and serves as a guarantee of democratic stability.

At the end of the meeting, the parties expressed readiness to continue close cooperation aimed at further improving Armenia’s electoral system and strengthening democratic values.