Month: April 2026

Two Russian citizens have been placed under house arrest in Armenia after authorities uncovered separate cases of large-scale cash smuggling at Yerevan’s Zvartnots Airport.

The State Revenue Committee, which oversees customs, said in a statement that together with National Security Service operatives it obtained information indicating that a Russian citizen identified by the initials R.T. had conspired to smuggle a large amount of cash from Russia to Armenia.

Upon arrival at Zvartnots Airport, the suspect was searched, and authorities found 65 million Russian rubles in undeclared cash, equivalent to about 321 million Armenian drams.

The case was referred to the Investigative Committee, and a court later ordered house arrest for the suspect.

One day later, authorities found an additional 7.6 million Russian rubles in undeclared cash—about 37 million drams —in the possession of a relative of the suspect who had also arrived in Armenia. The second individual, also a Russian national, was likewise placed under house arrest by court order.

A member of a municipal council in Armenia’s Lori Province is suspected of facilitating financial inducements to secure attendance at a “Strong Armenia” party rally held in Yerevan on April 11, according to law enforcement agencies.

The Investigative Committee released only the suspect’s initials, V.A., who is a member of the Gyulagarak municipal council and is running for parliament on the “Strong Armenia” ticket.

To secure attendance at a “Strong Armenia” party rally in Yerevan on April 11, 2026, individuals linked to the party leadership allegedly offered money to residents of Armenia’s Lori Province. Each participant reportedly received 3,000 drams (around $8) as part of a promised payment in order to ensure they attended the event.

V.A., who was aware of the alleged scheme, is accused of helping organize it by advising the group, providing support, and removing obstacles. The suspect is also said to have helped coordinate the recruitment of participants, their transport to Yerevan, food arrangements, and payment distribution, contributing to the alleged offence.

V.A. is facing a criminal investigation for allegedly aiding and abetting the bribery scheme for rally attendance, an offence under Article 46-236(2) of the Criminal Code.

The suspect is under house arrest and subject to a travel ban amid the ongoing investigation.

The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations adopted the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Bill for 2027, which envisions expanded support for the South Caucasus, including Armenia.

“The Committee directs funds for countries in the South Caucasus to promote the strategic interests of the United States through efforts to enhance regional peace, stability, integration, and connectivity, as well as to continue robust support for active bilateral charters of strategic partnership. Within such amounts, the Committee directs funds under International Military Education and Training and Foreign Military Financing Program be made available above the prior year levels for Armenia,” the bill reads.

It further reads, “The Committee strongly supports United States efforts to advance an enduring peace in the South Caucasus and to strengthen the security and prosperity of countries in the region.”

Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees on funding amounts for, and actions taken and authorities used to implement, the proposed Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), according to the document.

Such report shall identify implementing partners, including any providing investment finance, and describe the current or anticipated role of other relevant federal agencies, such as DFC and the Trade and Development Agency, in helping implement the project’s construction, development, and secure its successful operation.

The Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) is a connectivity project in Armenia envisaged under the U.S.-brokered Armenian–Azerbaijani joint declaration signed in Washington, D.C. The project is expected to unlock strategic economic opportunities, create long-term benefits by promoting infrastructure investment, and enhance regional connectivity. An Armenian–American joint enterprise is expected to develop the route.

A resolution reaffirming the EU’s support for Armenia’s democratic development, the peace process, and the reforms being carried out toward European integration was debated and adopted at the plenary session of the European Parliament.

476 MEPs voted in favor of the resolution on supporting democratic resilience in Armenia, 47 voted against, while 48 abstained.

The resolution supports the holding of free, fair, and peaceful parliamentary elections in Armenia in June 2026, emphasizing that the election results must be determined solely by the Armenian people. It stresses the importance of the independence of electoral administration, equal campaigning conditions, media pluralism, and the full protection of fundamental freedoms. It also highlights the need to combat disinformation, illegal financing, and vote-buying.

The document welcomes the development of EU–Armenia relations and Armenia’s commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and reforms. It positively assesses the new EU–Armenia strategic agenda, progress in implementing the CEPA agreement, the visa liberalization dialogue, and the “Resilience and Growth” plan.

The resolution places particular importance on the planned European Political Community summit and the EU–Armenia summit in Yerevan in May 2026, viewing them as a significant political signal of solidarity with Armenia.

Regarding regional security, it supports the Armenia–Azerbaijan peace process and calls for a comprehensive peace agreement based on sovereignty and the inviolability of borders. It also condemns the detention of Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan and demands their immediate release.

The European Parliament additionally calls for increased EU financial and technical assistance to Armenia, particularly in the areas of energy, digital development, and economic resilience. It welcomes the expansion of the EU monitoring mission and cooperation with civil society.

Furthermore, the resolution supports the normalization of Armenia–Türkiye relations, including the opening of borders and efforts toward regional stability.

It strongly condemns foreign information manipulation and interference attempts, specifically highlighting the activities of Russia and its influence networks, including cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns.

Overall, the resolution adopted by the European Parliament emphasizes Armenia’s democratic and sovereign choice, its European path, the pursuit of regional peace, and the need to resist external interference.

Armenia’s Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport and the European Union Delegation have jointly presented the current results of reforms implemented under the “EU Support to Education in Armenia” financing agreement.

According to the ministry, one of the key areas of the programme is the development of educational infrastructure. Construction and major renovation works have already been carried out in 13 selected schools in the Kapan and Goris communities of Syunik region, achieving more than half of the targets set for 2025.

Significant progress has also been recorded in improving school management. Around 50 percent of state general education schools have transitioned to a new management system, while 346 principals have been appointed based on recommendations by professional commissions, ensuring transparency and high professional standards.

A new funding mechanism has been introduced to improve the organisation of multi-grade classes, fully meeting the target set in this area.

To support the development of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, 231 schools in the Ararat, Kotayk and Gegharkunik regions have been equipped with modern laboratories, meeting programme targets.

At the same time, around 9,000 teachers have been trained in line with new educational standards, also fully achieving the target in this area. Career guidance programmes have been introduced in all schools across Armenia for grades 8 to 11, supporting students in career orientation and informed educational choices.

As part of efforts to modernise educational content, around 27 percent of school projects focus on the green economy and climate change, meeting the established target.

A new assessment system has been introduced in schools across Armenia, ensuring full implementation of the planned results.

Based on the assessment of these targets, the European Union has allocated €8.55 million for education reforms

The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to continuing education reforms to ensure quality, inclusive and modern education for all citizens of Armenia, and highlighted the importance of its close and effective cooperation with the European Union Delegation in Armenia in the successful implementation of the EU budget support programme.

The Armenian government has adopted decisions to grant permission for import duty exemptions within the framework of a priority investment program.

The investment program submitted by Firebird AI aims to establish in Armenia the region’s most powerful supercomputer and data center, specializing in artificial intelligence solutions and high-performance computing.

The main areas of activity will include data processing, server hosting services, and cloud infrastructure maintenance.

The project will be implemented in Kotayk Province, with total investments of around 170 billion drams, including 5.7 billion drams for construction works, 139.8 billion drams for fixed asset acquisition, and 24.5 billion drams for raw material procurement.

The value of goods eligible for exemption amounts to 26.9 billion drams (around $72.5 million). The customs duty exemption is estimated at 2.6 billion drams.

Last year, AI startup Firebird Inc. received approval from the U.S. government to export Nvidia Corp. chips to Armenia for a supercomputer project.

Britain’s King Charles told the U.S. Congress on Tuesday that despite an age of uncertainty and conflict in Europe and the Middle East, the UK and the U.S. will always be staunch allies united in defending democracy.

“Whatever our differences, whatever disagreements we may have, we stand united in our commitment to uphold democracy, to protect all our people from harm, and to salute the courage of those who daily risk ‌their lives in the service of our countries,” Reuters quoted King Charles III as saying during a rare speech to a joint meeting of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and after a prolonged standing ovation at his entrance with Queen Camilla.

In a speech that Buckingham Palace said beforehand would not be political, Charles also made references to President Donald Trump’s criticism of NATO, highlighted the importance of continued U.S. help for Ukraine in its war with Russia, the dangers of isolationism, and even a call for the safeguarding of nature, an important issue to the king for most of his life, Reuters reported.

Trump has been highly critical of NATO and European allies, most recently over their reluctance to provide military help in the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. Trump has also been ambivalent about prolonged U.S. financial and military aid to Ukraine.

Charles referred to the September 11, 2001, attacks, saying, “we answered the call together, as our people have done so for more than a century, shoulder to shoulder through two world wars, the Cold War, Afghanistan ⁠and moments that have defined our shared security today. Mr. Speaker, that same unyielding resolve is needed for the defense of Ukraine, and her most courageous people.”

Later, at a state banquet at the White House, Trump said that Charles did not want Iran to have a nuclear weapon, a statement the king did not comment on.

“We’re doing a little Middle East work right now and we’re doing very well,” Trump said at the dinner. “We have militarily defeated that particular opponent, and we’re never going to let that opponent ever — Charles agrees with me even more than I do — we’re never going to let that opponent have a nuclear weapon.” In his own comments after Trump spoke, Charles did not speak about Iran or the Iran war.

Earlier, in his comments to Congress, in what appeared to be a reference to Trump’s “America First” agenda, Charles added, “I pray with all my heart that our lands will continue to defend our shared values with our partners in Europe and the Commonwealth, and across the world, and that we ignore the clarion calls to become ever more inward-looking.”

The king was only the second British sovereign to address the U.S. Congress. His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, spoke to both houses in 1991.

Later Charles met with U.S. tech leaders, discussing challenges for early-stage startups as the UK touts itself as a top destination for technology firms, according to Reuters.

The leader of Mali’s military government, Assimi Goita, on Tuesday made his first public appearance since insurgents launched coordinated attacks over the weekend, vowing in a televised address to “neutralize” those responsible, Reuters reported.

West Africa’s al Qaeda affiliate and a Tuareg-dominated separatist group hit Mali’s main army base and the ‌area near Bamako’s airport in the attacks on Saturday, while also pushing Russian troops supporting government forces out of the strategic town of Kidal in the north.

Mali’s defence minister, Sadio Camara, was killed in Saturday’s attacks.

Goita had not been seen until his office on Tuesday afternoon published pictures of him meeting the Russian ambassador, Igor Gromyko.

The two men “discussed the current situation and the strong partnership between Bamako and Moscow”, and Gromyko “reaffirmed his country’s commitment to supporting Mali in the ⁠fight against international terrorism,” Reuters reported citing a readout from Goita’s office.

Goita also visited a hospital where people wounded in Saturday’s attacks were receiving treatment, and expressed condolences to Camara’s family, his office said.

He then delivered a brief address on the evening news in which he declared that “the situation is under control” and said operations would continue until they achieved “the complete neutralization of the groups involved” in the attacks.

In a video message distributed on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the al Qaeda affiliate, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), boasted about Saturday’s violence and described it as revenge for drone strikes and other attacks perpetrated by Malian forces.

Russia said ‌on Tuesday ⁠that jihadi and separatist forces in Mali were regrouping after Moscow’s forces helped thwart what it described as a coup attempt on Saturday, preventing insurgents from seizing key facilities including the presidential palace.

“The enemy has not abandoned its aggressive intentions and is currently regrouping,” the Russian Defence Ministry said in a statement.

Russian forces were conducting active reconnaissance operations to destroy insurgent field camps and stood ready to repel further attacks, it added.

Mali turned to Russia for support after expelling French and U.N. troops following coups in 2020 and 2021.

Africa Corps, a paramilitary group controlled by Russia’s Defence Ministry, confirmed on Monday that its forces ‌had withdrawn from the northern town of Kidal in Mali after fierce fighting there.

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Iran in a social media post on Wednesday morning, saying the country “better get smart soon!”

“Iran can’t get their act together. They don’t know how to sign a nonnuclear deal. They better get smart soon!,” Trump posted on the social media platform Truth Social.

The post was accompanied by an AI-generated picture of Trump holding a gun with explosions in the background, and the words “NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!”

The post comes as the crucial Strait of Hormuz remains blockaded and as the status of talks with Iran remains uncertain, with attempts to continue negotiations in the last few days seemingly stalled.

U.S. negotiators were due to travel to Islamabad, Pakistan for more talks last weekend, but Trump canceled the trip, CNBC reported. 

“We have all the cards,” the U.S. President told Fox News, adding that if Iran wanted to talk, “they can come to us, or they can call us.” Previous negotiations led by Vice President JD Vance also ended without a deal.

Tehran has proposed that it would reopen the Strait of Hormuz if the U.S. lifts its ongoing blockade of Iranian ports and the war ends, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Monday.

The proposal would postpone negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear ambitions for a later date, Axios and The Associated Press reported earlier on Monday.

Reuters reported earlier Tuesday that Trump was not happy with Tehran’s proposal.

West Texas Intermediate futures continued to rise after Trump’s post to trade 2.82% higher at $102.75 after the post, while benchmark Brent futures were up 3% to settle at $114.62, according to CNBC.

Oil prices were already elevated after the United Arab Emirates announced on Tuesday that it would be leaving the oil-producing group OPEC on May 1.

Russia has extended the permitted period of stay for international road transport drivers from CIS member states and Georgia under a visa-free regime, according to a government decree published April 27.

Under the revised rules, the cumulative duration of temporary stay in the Russian Federation for citizens of CIS member states, as well as Georgian nationals engaged in international road transport, will increase to a total of up to 180 days per calendar year. Previously, the limit was 90 days within the same period.

The regulation requires affected foreign nationals to submit applications in accordance with established procedures for entry into and residence in the Russian Federation.

The Russian government decree is scheduled to take effect on June 30, 2026.

Earlier regulations had introduced a 90-day annual limit on stays in Russia for citizens of visa-free countries. Following that change, transport drivers in Armenia, a member of the CIS, had staged periodic protests, calling on authorities to engage with the Russian side to amend the rule, arguing that the limit was insufficient for international transport operations that often involve extended delays at border crossings.