Pashinyan criticises Russia’s suggestion Armenia could become ‘new Ukraine’

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has pushed back against a recent suggestion from former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that Armenia’s growing ties with the EU could lead to the country being a ‘new Ukraine’. On Thursday, Pashinyan criticised the statement, citing Russia’s previously unwillingness to fulfill its defence obligations under the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) in the face of Azerbaijani attacks in 2021 and 2022, adding ‘Armenia is going to become an increasingly sovereign state’.

Earlier in October, Medvedev said, ‘Armenia’s current leadership believes it is appropriate to change the direction of its development’, implying that Armenia was doing so away from Russia.

‘I am sure that this will not lead to anything good either’, Medvedev continued, before saying, ‘the worst thing that could happen to Armenia is for it to turn into a new Ukraine’.

Medvedev currently serves as the Deputy Chair of Russia’s Security Council. Once considered more liberal during his time as president from 2008–2012, Medvedev has since become one of the Kremlin’s most outspoken and hawkish mouthpieces.

During a press conference on Thursday, Pashinyan questioned why Medvedev had made the comments, saying, ‘Armenia has already faced such a danger and been in such a situation when the CSTO did not fulfill its obligations toward Armenia. Why is Mr Medvedev making such a statement?.

‘One could also make a statement saying that Armenia should not suddenly become a new Russia, because explosions are being heard in various places in Russia. This is not a good genre’, he continued.

Once close allies, Armenia and Russia have drifted apart in recent years, a move bolstered by the CSTO inaction Pashinyan cited. At the same time, Armenia has sought to strengthen its ties with the EU, formally launching the process of integration with the bloc in 2025. In August 2026, Pashinyan said Armenia would soon submit an official application.