Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday, citing intelligence data, that contrary to widely held claims, Karabakh forces did not put up any significant resistance during the Azerbaijani military operations in 2023.

Speaking at a press briefing, Pashinyan said that up to 90% of the Karabakh military arsenal remained unused, according to intelligence assessments. He added that discussions held at Armenia’s Security Council produced findings that contradict claims that resistance in Karabakh was sustained “until the very end” in September 2023.

“I would prefer not to address this topic, but I want to say that after the 2023 events, a meeting of the Security Council of the Republic of Armenia was held, where the outcomes of the military operations were analyzed. Without being able to disclose much, I want to note that claims about fighting and so on are, to put it mildly, not consistent with reality, because according to data available to our intelligence—and not only intelligence—the vast majority of the available weapons and ammunition, perhaps 80% or even 90%, remained untouched,” Pashinyan said.

The Prime Minister also referred to preceding political processes, noting that prior to the military actions, an opportunity had been created for political solutions; however, according to him, certain representatives of Karabakh’s leadership obstructed that process.

“Before that, we had created an opportunity for a political process to take place, and certain representatives of the ruling circles in Karabakh not only hindered it but also carried out a change of power in Karabakh,” he said. According to Pashinyan, the September events occurred shortly afterward.

Pashinyan also asserted that some representatives of the former authorities of Karabakh left the region while accusing the Armenian government of keeping the borders closed.

“I said that the border is not closed, but I also want to note that I warned representatives of Karabakh at the time that if they left, there would be no possibility of return,” he said.

Addressing claims that the events in Nagorno-Karabakh amount to genocide, the Prime Minister said it is necessary to refrain from competing in such characterizations, emphasizing the importance of achieving peace in the region.

“It is enough to feed our people with claims about new genocides, and this race of genocides must stop altogether. In our region, everyone accuses everyone else of genocide,” he noted.

Pashinyan emphasized that the main goal of Armenia’s policy is to establish peace and focus on the Republic of Armenia.

“Our policy and strategy are as follows: we must become peaceful. As Charents once said, ‘There is the Republic of Armenia, and nothing else.’ Therefore, we must focus on the Republic of Armenia and build our lives there,” he said.

He did not rule out that additional data related to the 2023 events could be made public if necessary.

“As for these myths that they fought to the end and so on—if necessary, we will declassify that data. I am confident that this issue will unfold in due course; we will let it develop properly so that, as in the Nagorno-Karabakh negotiation process, I can make the right decision at the right moment and publish everything. It is false; no such thing happened. They fled, they escaped,” Pashinyan said, clarifying that he does not blame the people of Karabakh and that all accusations are directed at the Karabakh “elite.”

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan did not rule out the possibility of a Kazakh company taking over the concession agreement of the Armenian railways from Russia, but noted that talks are still ongoing. 

Pashinyan previously called for an end to Russian management of Armenia’s railway network, which operates under a concession agreement. He specifically stated that, in the context of current regional connectivity development projects, it would be preferable for another country—particularly one with friendly ties to both Armenia and Russia—to take over management. He argued that some countries might choose not to make shipments through Armenia due to Russian management of the railway system, thereby reducing Armenia’s competitiveness.

At a press briefing on Thursday, Pashinyan was asked to confirm or deny media reports that talks are underway on a potential Kazakh takeover of the management rights.

“We would not be opposed if it turns out that there is an understanding between us and Russia that the Kazakh company is acceptable for both sides. At the moment, negotiations are proceeding a little differently, as our Russian partners have not yet said, ‘Okay, let’s do it.’ Such ideas exist, but they are still just floating ideas,” the Prime Minister said.

Pashinyan also noted that a few days ago, during a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the issue concerning the Armenian railway was discussed; however, he added that there is no news in this regard, and it remains a working process that continues.

The inaugural Armenia–EU Summit will be held in Yerevan on May 4–5, 2026, with the Republic of Armenia represented by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the European Union represented by European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, in a press release, stated that ahead of the summit, Presidents Costa and von der Leyen will also participate in the 8th Summit of the European Political Community, taking place in Yerevan on May 4, 2026.

The Armenia–EU Summit will focus on strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in areas related to the economy, energy, transport, digital development, and people-to-people exchanges. The leaders will also discuss progress in ensuring peace, security, connectivity, and prosperity in the South Caucasus, as well as current global challenges.

The summit reflects the unprecedented dynamics of the Armenia–EU partnership in recent years. EU’s relations with Armenia are based on the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which entered into force in 2021, and the Armenia–EU Partnership Strategic Agenda, adopted during the Armenia–EU Partnership Council meeting in December 2025 with the participation of Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, and EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos.

The European Union remains a key partner for Armenia in advancing its reform agenda, as well as in trade and investment.

Within the framework of CEPA, Armenia continues to implement a comprehensive reform agenda based on democracy, transparency, and the rule of law. This includes efforts to combat corruption, reform the judiciary, increase accountability to citizens, and ensure equal economic, labor, and social opportunities for all.

In September 2024, Armenia and the EU launched a visa liberalization dialogue aimed at establishing a visa-free travel regime for Armenian citizens within the European Union.

On July 14, 2025, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to reaffirm and advance the growing Armenia–EU partnership. Overall, 2025 was marked by strong dynamics in Armenia–EU political dialogue, high-level exchanges, and deepening of the partnership.

In August 2025, the EU welcomed the initialing of the Peace Agreement and the signing of the Declaration between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The EU stands ready to support the development of inclusive regional connectivity and the full opening of communications in the region through investments, in favor of lasting peace and stability.

The press secretary of Armenia’s Prime Minister, Nazeli Baghdasaryan, has dismissed reports alleging that the Armenian government plans to revoke awards granted to participants of the Karabakh war, describing them as “false and misleading”.

 Information published by the website Dikgazete.com,  claimed that authorities intend to review and withdraw state awards given to war participants.

In a post on her Facebook page, Baghdasaryan stated that the claim is “completely false and has no relation to reality.”

She emphasized that the disinformation appears to be deliberately structured to target specific segments of society. According to her, the issue of the social and moral status of war participants is highly sensitive, and such narratives are designed to undermine trust in state institutions and government policies.

Baghdasaryan noted that the information was initially published on an unknown platform, then quickly reproduced by several Turkish and Azerbaijani media outlets. The information was further amplified on X through suspicious and interconnected accounts, and circulated via Telegram channels of Russian origin.

She added that the disinformation has also been widely disseminated within Armenia’s information space by certain opposition circles and affiliated media outlets.

“This indicates that information threats against the Republic of Armenia are, in some cases, coinciding with and being amplified by certain political actors operating within the country,” Baghdasaryan said.

According to her, the claim bears clear signs of foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI).

Baghdasaryan urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information and not to contribute to the further dissemination of disinformation.

Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan has arrived in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, to participate in the meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council, a key governing body of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the government said in a press release. 

Kazakh Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev welcomed Grigoryan at the airport.

Deputy PM Grigoryan will also participate in the “Digital Qazaqstan 2026” forum. 

The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 26 March, USD exchange rate up by 0.16 drams to 377.36 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 1.63 drams to 436.15 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.0817 drams to 4.5802 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 1.97 drams to 503.93 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 1855 drams to 55379 drams. 

The Secretary General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, David Karapetyan, received a delegation of international experts specializing in foreign policy, international security, and democratic governance.

The experts visited Armenia from March 23 to 26 as part of a program organized by the Bucharest office of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, in cooperation with the Yerevan-based Foundation for Culture and Civilization Studies.

During the meeting, the parties exchanged views on key regional and international developments.

Karapetyan highlighted the importance the Government of Armenia attaches to continuous engagement with civil society and the sustainable development of democratic institutions.

He also invited the members of the delegation to participate in the third international forum “Yerevan Dialogue,” scheduled to take place in Yerevan on May 5–6, 2026.

Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan is on an official visit to France, the ministry said in a statement.

As part of his official visit to France, Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan on March 26 met with French Army General Vincent Giraud, the Chief of the Personal Staff of the French President and his chief military advisor.

Papikyan reported about the meeting in a post on Facebook.

The Armenian Defense Minister is in France on an official visit.

Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan met with representatives of French defense companies at the Mouvement des Entreprises de France (MEDEF), Papikyan said in a post on Facebook.

Suren Papikyan is on an official visit to France on March 26.

Earlier on March 26, Papikyan met with French Army General Vincent Giraud, Chief of the Personal Staff of the French President and his chief military advisor.