In a recent interview with TASS news agency, Sergei Kopyrkin, the Russian ambassador to Armenia, reaffirmed Russia’s perception of Armenia as a strategic ally, despite the current tensions stirring between the two nations. The ambassador underlined the shared interests, history, and viewpoints on international matters that continue to bind the nations together. However, he acknowledged the existence of differences in their respective bilateral and multilateral agendas.
Relations between Russia and Armenia have been decidedly bitter since the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war. The situation has been further exacerbated following the September 2022 offensive by Azerbaijan, which Russian peacekeepers did not halt. Armenia has been openly critical of Russia’s perceived failure to live up to its security obligations.
The actions of the Armenian government, labelled as unfriendly by the Russian Foreign Ministry, and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s public criticism of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) for its lack of support, have strained ties further between the two nations. Pashinian has also shed light on Russia’s delay in delivering weapons under defense contracts valued at $400 million.
Despite these concerning issues, Kopyrkin referred to them as operational matters that can be resolved through dialogue. This statement comes in a time when Armenia appears to be seeking alternative arms suppliers, having recently signed defense contracts with India and France. These actions signal a potential shift in Armenia’s military alliances, which could have profound implications for its relationship with Russia.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has criticized Armenia for supposedly seeking to replace its alliance with Moscow with ambiguous promises from the West. In response, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan stressed the importance of careful wording when discussing Yerevan and Moscow relations, refuting claims that Armenia criticizes Russia at the highest level.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how these challenges will reshape the dynamics of Russia-Armenia relations and what consequences they might have on the wider geopolitical stage.