On April 8, Robert Kocharyan, the second president of Armenia and leader of the “Armenia” bloc, said Russia expects a rational and non-hostile policy from Armenia, emphasizing the need for predictable relations based on mutual respect and shared interests.
Speaking on the “Big Politics” podcast, Kocharyan argued that Russia is ready to reciprocate constructive engagement and recalled that during his presidency, there was no pressure from Moscow, with Armenia benefiting from low gas prices and strong economic ties. He criticized current Armenian authorities for signaling a potential exit from the Eurasian Economic Union, describing such rhetoric as disrespectful and warning that treating the bloc as a “reserve option” while pursuing Europe could damage relations.
Kocharyan stressed that leaving the EAEU would have severe consequences for Armenia, arguing that Russia would barely notice such a move, while Armenia could face economic collapse due to its heavy trade dependence. He noted that a significant portion of Armenia’s trade, remittances, and labor migration is tied to Russia, making a shift away economically risky.
He also highlighted infrastructure issues, suggesting that reopening a railway through Abkhazia could significantly boost Armenia’s economy by providing shorter and more reliable transport routes to Russia and Georgia. In contrast, he warned that routes through Azerbaijan could become political leverage in the future.
Turning to politics, Kocharyan accused Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of attempting to shift blame for the outcome of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict onto Vladimir Putin. He argued that no major power, including France and the United States, ever denied Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, while also supporting the principle of self-determination.
Kocharyan maintained that Russia played a decisive role in halting the war in 2020 and deploying peacekeepers, rejecting claims that Moscow abandoned Armenia. He further claimed that Pashinyan undermined the post-war framework by recognizing Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan, effectively transforming the issue into an internal matter for Baku.
Commenting on recent Armenia-Russia tensions, Kocharyan said a meeting between Putin and Pashinyan signaled that Moscow’s patience “is not infinite,” warning that continued geopolitical maneuvering could lead to consequences. He criticized what he described as inconsistent foreign policy, arguing that Armenia cannot afford to antagonize a major power while being economically dependent on it.
On foreign policy orientation, Kocharyan cautioned against positioning Armenia between Russia and Europe, noting that the European Union views Russia as an adversary. He suggested Armenia should maintain economic ties with Russia while benefiting from engagement with Europe, rather than choosing between them.
He also warned that Armenian exports to Europe remain minimal, while Russia continues to be the primary market, especially for agriculture and alcoholic beverages. In contrast, he argued that markets in Turkey and Azerbaijan would be highly competitive and potentially damaging for Armenian producers.
Finally, Kocharyan addressed domestic politics, arguing that anti-Russian rhetoric by Armenian authorities risks harming public sentiment toward Armenians in Russia, where a large diaspora contributes significantly through remittances. He concluded that Armenia’s current course risks both political isolation and economic instability, urging a more balanced and pragmatic foreign policy approach.
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