Russia Is Trying to Steal Armenia’s Election—the US Must Act | Opinion

Chatinian Lara
Newsweek
May 7 2026

Russia Is Trying to Steal Armenia’s Election—the US Must Act | Opinion

By Joseph Epstein: Director of the Turan Research Center and Senior Fellow at the Yorktown Institute

Two of the Kremlin’s top propagandists are openly calling for war against Armenia.

On Sunday, Margarita Simonyan—head of Russian state-funded broadcaster RT—reacted to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s appearance at a European summit in Yerevan by declaring it was “time to think about protecting the Russian population and our interests in that country.” “Protecting the Russian population” is the exact justification President Vladimir Putin used for the 2014 annexation of Crimea and the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Vladimir Solovyov, Russia’s highest-rated television anchor, has gone further still, calling on air for a “special military operation” against Armenia.

This is the soundtrack to a Kremlin campaign that began the moment Yerevan turned west—and it is now reaching its decisive moment. On June 7, Armenia votes. The parliamentary election is a referendum on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and, more consequentially, on whether his country continues toward the West and peace, or returns to managed conflict under Russian dominion. Washington has weeks, not months, to make sure it ends the right way.

Roughly seventy percent of America’s rare earth imports come from China—the minerals inside every smartphone, electric vehicle and precision-guided weapon. The Trump administration has spent a year working to break that dependence, and one of its biggest bets sits on a corridor through Armenia. The Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) is the corridor that gets Central Asia’s vast and untapped critical mineral reserves to market without passing through Russia, Iran or China. It will run from Azerbaijan through Armenian territory to the Nakhchivan exclave.
Putin understands what is at stake. At an April 1 meeting in Moscow, he pressed Pashinyan to allow dual Russian-Armenian citizens to run in the elections—a thinly veiled intervention on behalf of Samvel Karapetyan, the Russia-based billionaire bankrolling the opposition Strong Armenia party. Karapetyan currently sits under house arrest in Yerevan on money laundering charges and allegations of plotting a coup. Putin added that Russia has “many friends in Armenia, many.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declared that Moscow “reserves the right” to discuss Armenia’s elections.
The threats are converting into action. Moscow has banned dairy and produce shipments, gutted the flower trade and suspended arms deliveries that Armenia had already paid for. It also likely ordered Wildberries and Ozon—Russia’s two dominant online retailers akin to Amazon—to halt sales of Armenian-made goods, choking a major sales channel for an economy that exported nearly $3 billion to Russia last year. On April 22, the deputy secretary of Russia’s Security Council went further, warning that Armenia would lose 23 percent of its GDP and see inflation jump more than twenty points if it pursued European Union membership—a threat dressed as economic analysis.

From house arrest, Karapetyan warns voters that reelecting Pashinyan means “poverty and enmity with Russia.” His Strong Armenia party has lifted the Kremlin playbook from Moldova—where pro-Russian operatives funneled $39 million into a 2024 vote-buying scheme. Armenia’s Anti-Corruption Committee has now detained five Strong Armenia representatives for offering citizens cash for votes and for paying Armenians to attend opposition rallies.

The propaganda war is broader still. Local fact checkers reported a spike in Russian-aligned disinformation in the run-up to the election. Karekin II, leader of the Armenian Apostolic Church, has turned the institution against the government—a role mirroring the Moscow-aligned Orthodox Church in prewar Ukraine. Karapetyan retained Robert Amsterdam, the lobbyist who previously represented pro-Kremlin Ukrainian oligarch Vadim Novinsky. Tucker Carlson, with his well-documented record of amplifying Russian narratives, has hosted anti-Pashinyan voices, including Amsterdam and Karapetyan’s nephew.

The assault extends to Washington itself. The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) has lobbied Congress against Pashinyan and against TRIPP, which its policy director dismissed as a “neo-colonial U.S.-backed corporate consortium.” Civilnet, an Armenian diaspora outlet partially funded by the EU and, previously, USAID, hosts English-language programming that refers to Azerbaijan solely as the “Baku regime”—language used by Armenian nationalists and Tehran—calls the peace process “Finlandization,” and floats the idea of Armenia striking Azerbaijani oil pipelines. These are the same pipelines that supply European countries seeking alternatives to Russian energy.

None of it has stopped the peace process from delivering results. On April 29, Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Sahin Mustafayev flew to Yerevan for border delimitation talks—the first visit by a senior Azerbaijani official to the Armenian capital. Days earlier, Armenian and Azerbaijani civil society representatives concluded their fourth round of meetings under the Peace Bridge Initiative.

The peace process is real, and so is the threat to it. A Kremlin-backed victory on June 7 would mean a Karapetyan administration owing its office to Moscow and paying the debt in policy—shelving the peace agreement, freezing TRIPP and handing Russia the veto over Caucasus trade it has wielded for a generation. The first peace deal Trump brokered in his second term unravels not by a treaty but by a vote.

But Washington has options.

It can designate Samvel Karapetyan and Strong Armenia’s senior leadership under existing United States sanctions authorities. Treasury could use Executive Order 14024—used to sanction Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili—for a foreign directed campaign to subvert a democratic vote.

It can also announce a U.S.-Armenia critical minerals partnership before the vote. Frame it as the deal it is: rare earths out of China’s grip, processing capacity for American manufacturers, jobs at home and a Western alternative for an Armenian economy Moscow is trying to strangle.

And it can hold ANCA-aligned members of Congress to account. ANCA directly supports the interests of U.S. adversaries like Russia and Iran. Lawmakers who accept ANCA’s endorsement should be asked whether they endorse the group’s characterization of TRIPP as a “neo-colonial consortium.”

Putin’s offensive is not just against Armenia; it is against an American diplomatic intervention that helped bring peace to the South Caucasus. The Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal was an early signature win of this administration. Whether it survives June 7 will be decided in the next six weeks—and in part by what Washington does, or fails to do, between now and then.

Joseph Epstein is director of the Turan Research Center and senior fellow at the Yorktown Institute.

All views expressed in this article are the writer’s own

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Asbarez: Mirzoyan Puts Further Distance Between Armenia and Diaspora

Ani Kharatian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 May 6, 2026

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Main, Latest, News, Top Stories

Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan speaks at the EU-Armenia summit in Yerevan on May 5


Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said that the Diaspora’s perspectives do not always align with those of Armenians living in Armenia. At the same time, he claimed that he is seeing signals from diaspora Armenians that they are beginning to understand what real Armenia needs.

Speaking at a panel discussion at the Yerevan Dialogue 2026, Mirzoyan was asked to what extent the Armenian government takes into account the opinions of Diaspora Armenians in foreign policy decision-making.

“Yes, we have a large Armenian diaspora, yes, it is an important tool, they are our compatriots, but we must all understand that they are citizens of different countries, and their views may not directly coincide with the opinions of Armenians living in other countries. For example, I am not sure that the interests and concerns of Armenians living in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States can coincide with the interests and concerns of Armenians living in Russia. And one thing that is even more important is that I am not sure that the interests and concerns of Armenians living abroad can coincide with the interests, concerns, and needs of Armenians living in Armenia,” Mirzoyan said.

“We must understand that a significant part of the diaspora are descendants of survivors of the Armenian Genocide; they had to flee, seek refuge, and secure their livelihoods far from these places. Therefore, many diaspora Armenians want to see a greater Armenia, a historical Armenia, an Armenia that had a glorious and rich past, but today that is a dream; that is not the real Armenia. Today we live in this specific region, with these specific neighbors, and we do not want to spend our next decade, century, or millennium fighting with our neighbors, suffering more casualties on the battlefield, and losing more people who, due to conflict, will leave Armenia and find solutions in other countries,” Mirzoyan explained, noting that in this regard the views and needs of Armenians living in Armenia may differ from those of Armenians living abroad.

He said the matter is an interesting and important issue that needs to be discussed in depth, understood, and addressed.

“I am more than confident that this solution is coming. I see more and more signals from diaspora Armenians that they are beginning to understand what real Armenia needs, and we are hearing more voices of support from the diaspora,” Mirzoyan added.

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Davit Ishkhanyan Appeals from Baku Prison, Warns Trial Targets Armenian Stateh

Greg Madatian
by Contributor

 

 May 6, 2026

 

in Armenia, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

ARF Bureau and Artskah Parliament Member Davit Ishkhanyan has appealed to the Human Rights Defender of Armenia from a Baku prison, requesting assistance in obtaining and providing his family with the full texts of the indictment and the verdict.

Below is an English translation of his appeal in Armenian.

Greetings to everyone.

We learned from the press that Ruben Vardanyan appealed to the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia, asking her to visit him. I do not know whether the respected Defender will have the sense of responsibility and determination to visit us as well. If she does, she will gain more detailed information and see firsthand how the investigation was conducted, the extent of the serious and blatant violations that marked its entirety. Both the investigation and trial were carried out with blatant violations of human rights, international law, international norms, and even the procedural requirements of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

During my final statement at the end of the trial, I was unable to deliver 30 to 40 percent of my remarks. But I managed to express what I now want to repeat to my people:

“This trial is not against 15 individuals. This trial is against the Armenian people and Armenian statehood, with clear objectives and a long-term strategy. My suspicion of this began during the investigation, and the trial itself turned that suspicion into conviction. Time will prove the truth of my words and thoughts.”

Yesterday Azerbaijan’s Human Rights Defender, Ombudsperson Sabina Aliyeva visited us and we relayed information to her. I’ve had a letter of appeal prepared for her since March 12, but I was unable to meet with or deliver it to her for various reasons in these past months. Yesterday I finally handed over my appeal, and in it I had one clear request: that she help ensure the full text of our verdict, in both Azerbaijani and Armenian, is delivered to my family and relatives.

The Human Rights Defender said she would ensure the Azerbaijani version is delivered to my family and that she would try to facilitate the matter.

I now want to verbally address the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia and ask that she intervene and obtain from her Human Rights Defender counterpart and relevent Azerbaijani bodies, the full Armenian and Azerbaijani texts of our indictments and verdict, and provide them to my family and relatives.

In these difficult times, I wish our people strength of spirit, strength of will, and unity. And I must say: stay strong.

Click here to listen to his statement in Armenian.

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Upcoming Installment of ‘Literary Lights’ Reading Series Features Editor and

Emil Lazarian
by Contributor

 

 May 6, 2026

 

in Arts & Culture, Latest, News, Top Stories

The third installment of Literary Lights 2026 will feature the editor and poetry contributors of the landmark anthology, “Remain in Light: Visions of Homeland and Diaspora.” Event host and contributor Shahé Mankerian will be joined by editor Gassia Armenian and fellow Los Angeles-based poets, Tina Demirdjian, Arminé Iknadossian, Arthur Kayzakian and Raffi Joe Wartanian.

The free and virtual event, cosponsored by the Fowler Museum at UCLA, will take place on May 17, at 10 a.m. Register here.

“Remain in Light” endeavors to visualize the contemporary Armenian experience in the homeland and in Los Angeles, home to the largest Armenian population in Diaspora. The first wave of immigrants came to California in the late 1800s; the second was spurred by the Armenian genocide of 1915. Further Armenian migrants, from Soviet Armenia, the Middle East, Iran, and other countries, continue to find solace, pride, and connection in the traditions, customs, religion, language, and memories they brought with them.

Sossi Madzounian, Ara Mgrdichian, and Ara Oshagan, three Diaspora-born Armenian artists living in Los Angeles, share their perspectives on the life of their people in the old world and the new, illuminating the evolving social fabric of Armenian life: survival in the homeland, the immigrant experience in Diaspora, and the rebirth of Armenian Americans on new soil. This book pairs their photographs with poems by LA-based poets Tina Demirdjian, Arminé Iknadossian, Arthur Kayzakian, Shahé Mankerian, and Raffi Joe Wartanian. The volume is a tribute to all these artists, and to Armenians across the globe.

Anthology Editor
Gassia Armenian is a curator and researcher at the Fowler Museum at UCLA, where she conducts collections research and manages exhibitions. She has curated notable exhibitions on Armenian textiles and Diaspora, recognized by the Armenian Academy of Sciences in 2023, and pioneering shows featuring interactive technology. Her current exhibition focuses on the Ifugao people of the Philippines. Previously, she worked with USAID in Armenia on civics education curricula.

Gassia Armenian

Anthology Poetry Contributors
Tina Demirdjian is a poet and teaches poetry in schools and museums in Los Angeles. She is a culture bearer through her art practice, and founder of the Armenian Dress & Textile Project. She is the author of the poetry collection IMPRINT. She is on the Board at Brand Library & Art Center, where she co-facilitates ARTful Conversations in the gallery.

Tina Demirdjian

Armine Iknadossian is the author of “All That Wasted Fruit “(Main Street Rag). In 2022, Iknadossian received two grants from the Arts Council of Long Beach to write her second volume of poetry. She has also received fellowships from Idyllwild Arts, The Los Angeles Writing Project and Otis College of Art and Design. She serves on the Advisory Board of IALA. 

Armine Iknadossian

Arthur Kayzakian is the finalist for the 2024 Kate Tufts Award, and the winner of the 2021 inaugural Black Lawrence Immigrant Writing Series for his collection, “The Book of Redacted Paintings” (Black Lawrence Press, 2023), which was also selected as a finalist for the 2021 Philip Levine Prize for Poetry. He is the recipient of the 2023 creative writing fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. He is a founding member and serves as the Poetry Chair for the International Armenian Literary Alliance. His work has appeared in several publications, including The Adroit Journal, Chicago Review, Cincinnati Review, The Southern Review, among other journals.

Arthur Kayzakian

Shahé Mankerian is principal of St. Gregory Hovsepian School in Pasadena and Director of Mentorship at the International Armenian Literary Alliance. A former co-director of the Los Angeles Writing Project, he is the author of “History of Forgetfulness” (2021), a semifinalist for the Khayrallah Prize and finalist for several national poetry awards.

Shahé Mankerian

Raffi Joe Wartanian is a writer, musician, and educator who teaches writing at UCLA and serves as the inaugural Poet Laureate in the City of Glendale, California. A 2025-2026 Laureate Fellow with the Academy of American Poets, his writing has appeared in The New York Times, Academy of American Poets, and elsewhere.

Raffi Joe Wartanian

Literary Lights 2025 is a monthly reading series organized by the International Armenian Literary Alliance, the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research, and the Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center. Each event—held online or in-person—will feature a writer reading from their work, followed by a discussion with an interviewer and audience members. Read along with the series by purchasing “Remain in Light” and more titles at IALA’s Bookshop.org storefront

Missed the last Literary Lights 2026 event featuring “Rose by the Sea” author Rebecca Rose Mooradian? Watch the full recording here.

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Russia OUT! India & France Storm Armenia as Top Defense & Security Partners in

Ophelia Vardapetian
Eurasian Times
May 7 2026
By

 Sumit Ahlawat

As Russia remains entangled in the Ukraine War, the geopolitics of the South Caucasus is undergoing a seismic shift.

Armenia, once Moscow’s loyal outpost in the strategically important South Caucasus region, is gradually but increasingly pivoting to the West, with Yerevan firmly embedding itself into a network of European and trans-Atlantic defense partnerships.

From May 4-6, Yerevan hosted the 8th European Political Community (EPC) summit and used the two-day gathering of European leaders in its capital to push its top priority, security, and to accelerate its shift away from Russia and towards Western partners.

Meanwhile, the French President Emmanuel Macron used the occasion to further deepen its defense partnership with the beleaguered country that has lost two wars to Azerbaijan in the last six years, lost control of the historically Armenian-speaking territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, and is desperate to come out of the shadow of Russia.

In fact, as the European Union and Armenia laid the groundwork for deeper integration during the landmark EPC summit in Yerevan, France’s presence loomed large – diplomatically, economically, and culturally.

For decades after the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the landlocked Armenia did Russia’s bidding in the South Caucasus, providing it with military bases and serving as Moscow’s loyal outpost south of the Black Sea.

Crucially, Armenia also provided Russia with a land bridge to Iran, Moscow’s key ally in West Asia.

Armenia also joined the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a post-Soviet Russian equivalent of NATO.

However, Armenia has frozen its participation in the Russia-led collective security organization since 2024 and is gradually pivoting towards the EU and NATO.

This historic shift has the potential to rewrite the balance of power in this strategic region that sits at the crossroads of Europe, West Asia, Central Asia, Russia, and South Asia.

In fact, Armenia and the South Caucasus are at the heart of both India-supported International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and Europe’s plans to link Central Asian gas fields with its markets.

No wonder India and France have emerged as primary military and diplomatic backers of Armenia as it navigates a challenging neighborhood and tries to balance its historical dependence on Russia with new partnerships in the West and East.

Armenia’s Pivot Towards France

Bordering openly hostile Azerbaijan to the East, historical adversary Turkey to the West, and war-torn Georgia and Iran to the North and South, Armenia finds itself in a challenging and sometimes openly antagonistic neighborhood.

This challenging neighborhood meant that Armenia depended on Russia for its security.

However, Moscow’s failure to safeguard Armenia’s security and interests despite its CSTO membership during the two wars with Azerbaijan forced a strategic rethink in Yerevan.

Under Article 4 of the CSTO Treaty, analogous to NATO’s Article 5, member states are obligated to give each other “the necessary help, including military” in the event of foreign aggression.

Despite this explicit cause, Moscow did nothing to protect Armenia during its two recent wars with Azerbaijan.

Russia proved itself an unreliable security partner, and Yerevan has since tried to balance its dependence on Moscow by cultivating defense and security partnerships with diverse countries.

However, France has emerged as a key partner for Yerevan.

The visit of President Macron, timed to coincide with the first EU‑Armenia summit, underscored France’s ambition to anchor itself in the small, landlocked country as it turns away from Moscow.

France is positioning itself as a key player in Armenia’s emerging role as a regional hub for trade, energy, and digital connectivity.

The EU‑Armenia connectivity partnership, signed during the summit, aims to strengthen transport and energy links and interlocks French and European interests in routes between Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, and Europe – notably the Trans-Caspian route.

France and Armenia also signed a joint declaration establishing a strategic partnership and agreed to expand cooperation in the defense sector.

A memorandum of understanding between the defense ministries of Armenia and France provides for cooperation in research, development, and advanced military technologies.

In addition, Armenia’s defense ministry signed a contract with the French group Sofema to supply equipment.

An agreement was also concluded with Airbus Helicopters for the delivery of transport helicopters. According to local media, this involves six multi-purpose Airbus H145 helicopters.

Notably, France has emerged as Armenia’s largest arms supplier in recent years.

Paris has delivered CAESAR howitzers, GM200 radars, and Bastion APCs to Armenia.

During his trip, President Macron also called on Europe to help Armenia independently secure its borders.

“There are still 4,000 Russian soldiers on Armenian territory, including over 1,000 border guards. Europe must, therefore, commit to helping the country secure its borders more independently,” Macron said.

Russian forces are stationed in Armenia under a bilateral agreement that established the 102nd military base in Gyumri. This facility serves as Russia’s military presence in the South Caucasus region.

The base was established in 1995 for a 25-year period. However, the agreement was renewed later, and Russian troops can now remain in the country until 2044.

Macron suggested that Europe should provide this support to Armenia to reduce its dependence on Russia.

Notably, Armenia has already accepted a European Union (EU)–led civilian border-monitoring force, rejecting a Russian proposal for the same. Numbering around 200, this is the first such EU Common Security and Defense Policy mission in a Russian-allied country.

Armenia has also acceded to the International Criminal Court (meaning that, in theory, Putin could be arrested if he sets foot on Armenian soil).

Russia’s failure to safeguard Armenian interests has also led to the downfall of Russia’s image in the Armenian public.

Between 2019 and 2023, according to an International Republican Institute poll, the number of Armenians who described the country’s relationship with Russia as “good” fell drastically, from 93 percent to 31 percent. France is now regarded by the Armenian public as the country’s most important political partner, with the United States in second place.

In recent years, Armenia has taken several steps to pivot towards the EU, and EU officials have reciprocated. In March 2024, the European Parliament welcomed Armenia’s application for candidate status to the European Union.

Armenia also hosted a training exercise with U.S special forces in September 2023.

India has emerged as another crucial partner for Armenia.

India: The New Security Partner for Armenia

After France, India has emerged as the second-largest arms exporter to Armenia. In fact, Yerevan is now India’s single largest arms export customer.

In recent years, Armenia has purchased Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers, Akash-1S surface-to-air missile systems, ATAGS 155mm towed howitzers, Swathi weapon-locating radars, and MArG truck-mounted artillery.

Besides, Armenia is considering signing deals for the Akash-NG and Astra Mk2 AAMs. Armenia is also considering signing a contract with New Delhi to upgrade its Su-30 fleet to India’s Su-30MKI specifications.

In 2025-26 alone, Armenia imported roughly US$2 billion worth of Indian systems, helping propel India into the world’s top 25 arms exporters.

Indian systems now form the backbone of Armenia’s artillery, air defense, and counter-battery capabilities.

Notably, till one decade ago, Armenia used to import nearly 90% of its arms from Russia. Currently, Russia’s share has dropped to less than 10 percent, even as France and India have moved quickly to fill in the vacuum.

The message to Moscow is clear: Yerevan is hedging its bets in a multipolar world.

As Armenia hosted its first-ever ECP summit and French President Macron on a two-day state visit, the message to Moscow was clear: Armenia sees its future in the West.

While EU membership remains a distant dream, the era of Russia as Yerevan’s sole security provider is over.

Macron has sent a clear message that Yerevan should remove the 5,000-odd Russian soldiers from its territory, as Moscow has failed to protect its interests; instead, the EU should fulfill that role.

As Russian influence wanes in Armenia, a new constellation of states, the EU, France, and India, have moved in to fill the breach.

The South Caucasus will never be the same.

  • Sumit Ahlawat has over a decade of experience in news media. He has worked with Press Trust of India, Times Now, Zee News, Economic Times, and Microsoft News. He holds a Master’s Degree in International Media and Modern History from the University of Sheffield, UK. 
  • VIEWS PERSONAL OF THE AUTHOR. 
  • He can be reached at ahlawat.sumit85 (at) gmail.com
https://www.eurasiantimes.com/russia-out-india-france-storm-armenia-as-top-defense-security-partners-in-south-caucasus-shake-up/

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Armenia sees untapped potential in economic cooperation with China

Hovik Karapetian
May 7 2026

Guests hold a discussion on the main stage during the panel discussion “South Caucasus at the Crossroads: Logistics, Connectivity and the Business Case” at the “Yerevan Dialogue” international forum, in Yerevan, Armenia, May 6, 2026. The 2026 “Yerevan Dialogue” international forum was held in Yerevan, Armenia’s capital, on Tuesday and Wednesday under the theme “Riding Through the Storms,” focusing on issues including geopolitical shifts, global connectivity and green transition. The inaugural forum was held in 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Junfeng)

YEREVAN, May 6 (Xinhua) — China is an important partner for Armenia, with significant untapped potential in bilateral economic relations, said a senior Armenian official on Wednesday.

The two sides would work together to expand trade volumes and launch more investment programs in Armenia and across the South Caucasus region, Anushik Avetyan, Armenia’s deputy economy minister, told Xinhua on the sidelines of the “Yerevan Dialogue” international forum.

Avetyan noted Chinese companies are highly interested in Armenia’s infrastructure projects, some of which are already being implemented by Chinese contractors. “I think they play quite an important role in our economy and we want to build on this and diversify our economy,” she said.

She stressed that economic diversification, especially the diversification of exports and trade partners, is a priority for the Armenian government and plays a crucial role in achieving resilient, sustainable economic development in the country.

The 2026 “Yerevan Dialogue” international forum was held in Yerevan, Armenia’s capital, on Tuesday and Wednesday under the theme “Riding Through the Storms,” focusing on issues including geopolitical shifts, global connectivity and green transition. The inaugural forum was held in 2024.

Participants attend the panel discussion “South Caucasus at the Crossroads: Logistics, Connectivity and the Business Case” at the “Yerevan Dialogue” international forum, in Yerevan, Armenia, May 6, 2026.

The 2026 “Yerevan Dialogue” international forum was held in Yerevan, Armenia’s capital, on Tuesday and Wednesday under the theme “Riding Through the Storms,” focusing on issues including geopolitical shifts, global connectivity and green transition. The inaugural forum was held in 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Junfeng)

Participants arrive at the venue for the “Yerevan Dialogue” international forum, in Yerevan, Armenia, May 6, 2026.

The 2026 “Yerevan Dialogue” international forum was held in Yerevan, Armenia’s capital, on Tuesday and Wednesday under the theme “Riding Through the Storms,” focusing on issues including geopolitical shifts, global connectivity and green transition. The inaugural forum was held in 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Junfeng)

Participants arrive at the venue for the “Yerevan Dialogue” international forum, in Yerevan, Armenia, May 6, 2026.

The 2026 “Yerevan Dialogue” international forum was held in Yerevan, Armenia’s capital, on Tuesday and Wednesday under the theme “Riding Through the Storms,” focusing on issues including geopolitical shifts, global connectivity and green transition. The inaugural forum was held in 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Junfeng)

Editor: Yang Linlin

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LINKS Europe panel discussion – ‘Armenia between a historic summit and a cruci

Arpi Talalian
Commonspace.eu
May 7 2026

See the webinar in full on YouTube.

On 6 May 2026, LINKS Europe Foundation hosted an online webinar titled “Armenia between a historic summit and a crucial election.” The event was chaired by Alexandra Dumitrescu, International Coordinator at LINKS Europe, and brought together experts from Yerevan and Brussels to discuss Armenia’s evolving election environment and broader geopolitical developments.

The panel featured Johnny Melikyan, Senior Fellow at the Orbeli Center; Narek Minasyan, Associate Expert at the Armenian Council Research Center; and Amanda Paul, Deputy Head of the Europe in the World Programme and Senior Policy Analyst at the European Policy Centre in Brussels.

The discussion opened with Armenia’s hosting of the 8th European Political Community Summit and the first EU-Armenia Summit in Yerevan. Speakers described these events as significant for Armenia’s visibility in Europe and for its ongoing foreign policy diversification. They discussed Armenia’s deepening cooperation with the European Union, including in areas such as transport, energy, digital connectivity, infrastructure investment, visa liberalisation, democratic reform, and regional connectivity.

The panel then turned to the parliamentary elections scheduled for 7 June 2026, which speakers framed as a decisive moment for Armenia’s democratic development and foreign policy direction. They discussed key electoral dilemmas, including Armenia’s European path versus a return to closer alignment with Russia, democracy versus authoritarian tendencies, and peace with Azerbaijan versus renewed confrontation.

The discussion also addressed external interference, disinformation, cyber threats, and the role of election observation missions. Speakers highlighted the importance of media literacy, institutional resilience, and international support in safeguarding the electoral process. The webinar concluded with a discussion on the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process and the role of regional connectivity initiatives such as TRIPP, including their potential to support stability, economic cooperation, and wider international engagement in the South Caucasus.


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Ano Mansourian Named 2026 Exemplary Homenetmen Member

Tatoyan Vazgen
by Contributor

 

 May 7, 2026

 

in Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories
Ano Mansourian


A Legacy of Nearly Half a Century of Dedicated Service

BY LUSINE MUSAYELYAN

“She never sought the spotlight, yet built the strong foundation upon which our community stands today.”

The Beginning of Leadership
Ano (Anahid) Mansourian’s journey with Homenetmen began at a young age, when she became the youngest member of the Ararat chapter’s senior (“Yeretzagan”) division. Her first major success was leading the Car Rally program, an initiative that revitalized the chapter’s activities and opened the path to her role on the Fundraising Committee Board.

Trust and a Culture of Giving
One of Ano’s most impactful contributions has been in the field of fundraising, where she earned a reputation built on integrity and transparency. The community trusted her not only the projects she led, but her judgment, her leadership, and her values. That trust has translated into meaningful results and lasting impact.

Her forward-thinking approach introduced new initiatives, including the first-ever Fashion Show in Ararat’s history, an event that generated significant support for the organization and became a lasting tradition.

For over a decade, she served on both the Ararat Executive Board and the Fundraising Committee, while dedicating more than 15 years to the Victory Ball organizing committee often working late into the night to ensure its success.

Strategic Impact and Lasting Contributions
Ano Mansourian’s role became especially significant during the acquisition of the current Ararat facilities. As a member of the committee behind this milestone, her contribution was highly valued. In recognition of the team’s efforts, symbolic pink hard hats were presented marking a major achievement built through dedication and shared vision.

Her service extended beyond the local chapter. As a member of the Regional Board for four years, she contributed to the growth and development of the Navasartian Games.

Commitment to Youth and Homeland
At the heart of Ano’s mission has always been the Armenian youth, their identity, strength, and future. Her efforts reached far beyond Los Angeles, supporting initiatives in Armenia and Artsakh, and strengthening the connection between the Diaspora and the homeland.

Energetic and driven, yet deeply humble, she has remained true to a quiet principle: to serve without seeking recognition.

A Life of Service
Today, the Honorary “Exemplary Homenetmen Member” title awarded to Ano Mansourian reflects a lifetime of integrity, dedication, and love for her community.

Her journey carries a clear message: create opportunities so that each new generation can rise, and in doing so, lift others.

Ano Mansourian is not simply part of this story, She is one of the people who shaped it.

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EAFJD Says EU Summit Omitted Discussion on Artsakh

Talar Tumanian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 May 6, 2026

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

The European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy acknowledges the historic significance of the first-ever EU-Armenia Summit held in Yerevan.

The presence of European Council President António Costa and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen signals a welcome willingness by European leadership to engage directly with Armenian society. However, the EAFJD emphasizes that diplomatic presence must now translate into concrete actions that safeguard Armenia’s sovereignty and the rights of its people.

While the summit celebrated a “new chapter,” we remind European leaders that the foundation of this relationship, the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was built on the condition of rigorous judicial reforms, institutional resilience, and the strengthening of democratic values.

In order for “Armenia’s future [to] be determined freely and democratically by its citizens”, comprehensive changes need to be applied to ensure electoral integrity, opposition rights, media independence and protection from ALL foreign interference during the electoral process, a concept that was unfortunately not enforced by some European leaders during this very Summit.

The Joint Declaration highlights three primary avenues of cooperation: Energy, Connectivity, and Digital Infrastructure. While these economic pillars can be vital for long-term growth if applied strategically in tandem with internal reforms, the EAFJD questions how these technical projects will bolster Armenia’s immediate security if they are not paired with a firm stance against regional aggression.

Crucially, the EAFJD expresses profound concern and disappointment regarding the total omission of Artsakh from the official summit discussions. Despite the European Parliament’s clear mandate (Resolution of April 30, 2026), which explicitly:
1.Condemns the ethnic cleansing of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh;
2.Demands the immediate release of Armenian hostages and prisoners of war held in Baku;
3.Calls for the protection and international monitoring of Armenian cultural and religious heritage currently being destroyed by Azerbaijan;

The Summit’s Joint Declaration remained silent on these existential issues. This omission is a stark contradiction to the European Parliament’s call for justice and the right of return for the displaced people of Artsakh under international guarantees.

The EAFJD agrees with the European Parliament that “democratic resilience” cannot exist in a vacuum. If the EU is to be a true strategic partner, it must act on its own democratic mandates. We call on the European Commission to move beyond infrastructure planning and take concrete steps to hold Azerbaijan accountable for its crimes. Strategic connectivity must not come at the cost of justice for the 150,000 Armenians ethnically cleansed from their ancestral homes.

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AYF Chapters Raise $15,500 to Support Displaced Artsakh Families Through Lorik

Eduard Nalbandian
by Contributor

 

 May 7, 2026

 

in Community, Latest, News, Top Stories
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Lorik Humanitarian Fund extended its gratitude to the Crescenta Valley Armenian Youth Federation “Zartonk” and “Garegin Njdeh” Junior Chapters, along with the Orange County AYF “Ashot Yergat” and “Aghpiur Serop” Junior Chapters, for raising $15,500 in support of humanitarian programs serving Armenian families forcibly displaced from Artsakh.

The funds raised will directly support several of Lorik Humanitarian Fund’s ongoing initiatives focused on long-term stability, education, housing, and cultural preservation.

AYF La Crescenta AYF Orange County’s donation check

A significant portion of this support contributes to the Aznavour Saghyan Scholarship Fund, which has already provided over $55,000 in scholarships to 105 displaced Artsakh students, helping cover a portion of their university tuition so they can continue their education in Armenia.

The contribution will also support Lorik Fund’s housing initiatives, which have already provided 13 families with permanent homes, including families of fallen Armenian servicemen. Current efforts are focused on helping additional families renovate and furnish homes, ensuring safe and stable living conditions.

In Gyumri, the funds will help sustain the Tsil Dignigayin (Puppet) Studio, a free children’s art and education program launched in November 2024. The studio offers a wide range of classes for both local and displaced children, including:

  • Drawing and painting
  • Puppet making and puppet performance
  • Carpet weaving and needlework
  • Armenian dance
  • Armenian and Armenian Church history
  • Photography
  • Artsakh dialect workshops (“word by word”)

Additional classes, including khachkar (խաչքար) carving, are being introduced as the program continues to expand.

The donation also supports Lorik Fund’s cultural preservation initiative, which has documented over 250 interviews with survivors of the forced displacement from Artsakh, preserving personal histories, village traditions, and cultural memory for future generations.

Additionally, funds will contribute to the organization’s newly launched Small Business Development Grant Program, which supports displaced individuals in rebuilding sustainable livelihoods. Recent grants include:

  • $6,500 awarded to a veteran of three wars to expand his beekeeping operation
  • A grant supporting a seamstress/tailor to acquire essential equipment and restart her business

“These efforts reflect a shared commitment to long-term solutions — education, housing, livelihoods, and cultural preservation,” said Shunt Jarchafjian, Founder of Lorik Humanitarian Fund. “We are grateful to the AYF chapters and their members for their initiative and support.”

Lorik Humanitarian Fund continues to operate through community partnerships in Armenia and relies on private donations to sustain its programs.

Visit the Lorik Humanitarian Fund website for more information.

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