Armenia shifts from Russia towards West with new defence deals

Armenia used a two-day gathering of European leaders in its capital to push its top priority, security, as it accelerates a shift away from Russia and towards Western partners.

Yerevan has signed a series of security memoranda aimed at anchoring itself in a widening network of European and transatlantic defence partnerships and away from Russia. 

This new phase in its security policy started after it reached a peace framework with its neighbour, Azerbaijan, following decades of territorial conflict over the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, which flared up in several armed confrontations from 1992 until 2023.

The country remains a formal member of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), a Russia-led military alliance created to provide mutual defence among several post-Soviet states. But it has suspended its participation in all CSTO engagements, signalling a de facto disengagement from the bloc.

Geography remains a defining factor in Armenia’s security calculations. The country is surrounded by a complex and volatile neighbourhood, bordering rival Azerbaijan, historical adversary Turkey, war-torn Iran and Georgia.

EU PARTNERSHIP

On Tuesday, the EU and Armenia signed a Joint Declaration in which security occupied a central place across multiple chapters.

The text includes two €30 million packages for non-lethal assistance under the European Peace Facility, aimed at strengthening Armenia’s resilience and improving the interoperability of its armed forces for potential participation in international missions, including EU-led operations.

The joint conclusion also underlined Armenia’s interest in associating its military and civilian educational institutions with the European Security and Defence College, and looked to expand cooperation into cyber defence and hybrid threats.

It further welcomed the launch of negotiations for a Security of Information Agreement on the exchange of classified information, alongside commitments to deepen cooperation to prevent and disrupt circumvention of EU sanctions.

FRANCO–ITALIAN RIVALRY IN THE CAUCASUS

Following the EPC summit, Yerevan also signed a declaration for an Armenia–France strategic partnership during a state visit by French President Emmanuel Macron. 

The agreement aimed to foster cooperation in research, development and innovation in military technologies and defence systems. 

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also used his trip to the EPC summit to sign a new strategic partnership with Armenia. The agreement outlines cooperation in defence capacity-building, border security, cyber resilience and responses to hybrid threats as core elements.

Italy pursued a contrasting approach, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni travelling to Azerbaijan to meet President Ilham Aliyev, who attended the EPC via video conference rather than travelling to Armenia.

Azerbaijan and Italy have opened “a new chapter in military cooperation,” Aliyev said following talks with Meloni in Baku. He noted that “Italian technologies are being presented” and highlighted discussions on “concrete points for expanding this cooperation,” with defence identified as a key area for further strengthening ties.

EYES ON NATO

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also used his time in the European spotlight to meet NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, quietly advancing deeper cooperation with the transatlantic alliance.

The bilateral talks focused on regional stability in the South Caucasus, ongoing reforms and prospects for expanded capacity building and interoperability. Pashinyan emphasised democratic reforms and defence development as key drivers of closer engagement, according to local media reports.

The discussions followed earlier NATO engagement: on 20–21 April 2026, Ambassador Kevin Hamilton, NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, visited Armenia and met President Vahagn Khachaturyan, Pashinyan and senior officials. 

(at, cm)