Author: Alex Jidarian

Nikol Pashinyan: The Diplomat Who Inherited a Broken State and Repositioned Ar

Alex Jidarian
The Blunt Post
Mar 20 2026
Nikol Pashinyan: The Diplomat Who Inherited a Broken State and Repositioned Armenia in a Dangerous Region

How Armenia’s Post-Revolution Leader Navigated War, Oligarchic Legacy, and Geopolitical Pressure While Advancing Economic Reform and Democratic Realignment

 

By Vic Gerami

When Nikol Pashinyan rose to power in Armenia’s 2018 Velvet Revolution, he did not inherit a stable or prosperous country. He inherited a post-Soviet state weakened by decades of entrenched corruption, oligarchic dominance, institutional fragility, and unresolved geopolitical threats. His critics portray him as reckless or weak. Yet a closer examination suggests a more complex reality: Pashinyan has pursued a pragmatic diplomatic strategy while attempting structural reforms that have significantly reshaped Armenia’s economic trajectory and foreign policy orientation.

Inheriting a Post-Soviet System Defined by Corruption

Pashinyan’s ascent followed mass protests that forced longtime leader Serzh Sargsyan from power, ending years of rule by political elites widely associated with corruption and economic stagnation.

For nearly three decades following independence from the Soviet Union, Armenia’s leadership failed to adequately prioritize national security or long-term strategic preparedness. As a result, Pashinyan inherited a nation that was institutionally fragile and insufficiently fortified at a time when Azerbaijan, backed by Turkey and supported by geopolitical actors including Russia and Israel, was preparing to exert overwhelming military pressure and commit genocide.

During those same years, entrenched oligarchic networks had become accustomed to exploiting state resources for personal enrichment. Corruption, privatization under opaque terms, and systemic patronage hollowed out key sectors of the economy and weakened public trust in governance. Former President Robert Kocharyan presided over the transfer of significant industrial assets to Russian control and later emerged as a billionaire, raising enduring questions about how a lifelong public servant in a small nation could amass such wealth. His successor, Serzh Sargsyan, faced similar accusations of entrenched corruption and has likewise been associated with vast personal fortunes.

One of the new government’s earliest priorities was combating systemic corruption. Observers noted that anti-corruption initiatives and institutional reforms became a central pillar of governance in the immediate aftermath of the revolution.

While reform efforts have faced obstacles, analysts acknowledge that corruption indicators improved after 2018, reflecting a shift in public administration and accountability norms.

These efforts formed the foundation for broader economic and political reforms aimed at stabilizing the country’s governance model.

Economic Growth and Structural Transformation

Despite Armenia’s exposure to regional conflict and global shocks, the country’s macroeconomic indicators have improved during Pashinyan’s tenure.

Between 2021 and 2024, Armenia’s GDP grew by approximately 36.6 percent, reflecting sustained annual growth rates.

More broadly, official figures suggest that overall economic expansion since 2018 has approached 40 percent, alongside a significant increase in tax revenues.

Labor market indicators also point to structural change. Registered wage-paying jobs rose sharply, with hundreds of thousands of new formal positions recorded and average salaries increasing substantially compared with pre-revolution levels.

Financial sector stability has likewise strengthened. Investments in Armenia’s banking system increased by more than 160 percent after 2018, suggesting growing investor confidence.

In parallel, Armenia has sought to diversify its economic base, investing in technology and education while attracting foreign firms and diaspora capital. This strategy aims to make the country more resilient in a volatile geopolitical environment.

A Delicate Diplomatic Balancing Act

Perhaps Pashinyan’s most consequential legacy lies in foreign policy. Armenia’s geographic position leaves it surrounded by powerful enemies and dependent on shifting alliances.

Historically aligned with Russia, Yerevan has gradually deepened engagement with the European Union as dissatisfaction with Moscow’s security guarantees grew.

Pashinyan has gradually and diplomatically worked to reduce Armenia’s dependence on Russia’s political and security orbit while cautiously strengthening ties with the European Union and the United States. This delicate geopolitical balancing act reflects an effort to diversify Armenia’s strategic partnerships, enhance sovereignty, and reposition the country within a broader framework of democratic alliances.

This reorientation culminated in legislation establishing a legal framework for potential EU accession, signaling a strategic pivot toward Western integration.

European leaders have simultaneously expanded financial and technical assistance, including major investment initiatives designed to support Armenia’s long-term development and connectivity.

Analysts argue that this diplomatic recalibration reflects a pragmatic attempt to diversify Armenia’s security partnerships rather than an ideological break with Russia. The country continues to navigate complex economic and defense dependencies even as it explores closer cooperation with Europe and the United States.

Managing Conflict and Pursuing Peace

Pashinyan’s leadership has unfolded amid one of the most turbulent periods in modern Armenian history. The aftermath of what many Armenians and international observers describe not as the Nagorno-Karabakh “war,” but rather as the Artsakh Genocide, marked by mass displacement, ethnic cleansing, and humanitarian devastation, alongside Azerbaijan’s military advances and ongoing border tensions, has severely constrained policy options.

In this context, his controversial peace initiatives and territorial concessions have been framed by supporters as attempts to avoid renewed war and stabilize Armenia’s internationally recognized borders.

Supporters argue that his restraint in the face of repeated provocations from Azerbaijan demonstrates a commitment to preventing further large-scale conflict in the region. Despite ongoing border tensions and continued Azerbaijani incursions into internationally recognized Armenian territory, he has largely resisted calls for retaliatory escalation that could trigger a devastating regional war. Advocates contend that this measured approach reflects conflict-avoidance diplomacy aimed at preserving lives and maintaining fragile stability.

At the same time, his government has sought to modernize the armed forces and increase military professionalism through reforms and targeted investments.

Such measures illustrate the dual challenge facing Armenia: maintaining security while pursuing diplomatic normalization with hostile neighbors.

Democratic Legitimacy and Electoral Mandates

Despite intense domestic polarization, Pashinyan has repeatedly secured electoral mandates. His Civil Contract party won a decisive parliamentary victory in 2021, with results broadly accepted by civil society and international observers.

Another profound challenge he has confronted has been persistent resistance from entrenched political structures. Unlike in systems where a change in leadership results in a sweeping replacement of administrative personnel, Armenia’s bureaucratic and institutional apparatus remained largely intact following the Velvet Revolution. This meant that elements of the old guard continued to exert influence within the state, at times obstructing reform initiatives and complicating efforts to modernize governance. Navigating these political landmines while maintaining national stability required both resilience and strategic restraint.

He has also emphasized democratic consolidation as a strategic national objective, arguing that Armenia’s future lies within a European-style political and institutional framework.

This narrative positions Armenia as a small but resilient democracy attempting to chart an independent course in a region dominated by authoritarian or hybrid regimes.

Tourism, Investment, and International Visibility

Economic modernization efforts have coincided with increased international attention. Technology investment, diaspora engagement, and global events hosted in Yerevan have boosted Armenia’s visibility as an emerging innovation hub.

Foreign investment flows and EU funding initiatives further underscore Armenia’s growing integration into global economic networks.

Tourism and services have also benefited from improved infrastructure and marketing strategies, although growth remains vulnerable to regional instability.

A Leader Defined by Context

Ultimately, evaluating Nikol Pashinyan requires understanding the constraints under which he governs. He did not inherit a consolidated state or secure borders. Instead, he assumed leadership of a country shaped by decades of corruption, geopolitical isolation, and unresolved conflict.

His supporters argue that he has pursued realistic diplomacy, institutional reform, and economic modernization while navigating existential security threats. Critics contend that these policies have entailed painful compromises.

What is clear is that Nikol Pashinyan has governed Armenia during one of the most volatile and dangerous periods in its modern history, while pursuing reforms and diplomatic strategies few leaders would have had the political courage to attempt. Rather than inheriting stability, he assumed responsibility for a state burdened by corruption, weakened institutions, and existential security threats.

Despite these constraints, his tenure has been marked by measurable economic progress, democratic consolidation, and a gradual repositioning of Armenia on the global stage. While critics continue to question individual decisions, supporters argue that he has not received sufficient credit for steering the country through crisis while avoiding a wider regional war. In a geopolitical environment defined by constant threats and pressure from Azerbaijan and Turkey, his emphasis on restraint, pragmatic diplomacy, and conflict avoidance has helped preserve Armenia’s sovereignty and democratic trajectory.

If his conduct is examined closely in the broader context of regional instability and repeated provocations, a compelling case can be made that his commitment to preventing escalation and prioritizing peace over populist militarism reflects the very principles recognized by international peace honors. For many Armenians and observers, such leadership in the face of sustained external threats merits serious consideration for recognition at the highest global levels, including potential nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize.

For many Armenians, the defining legacy of his leadership may ultimately be his determination to modernize the state and safeguard its future under extraordinarily difficult circumstances.

 

Sources

Economic Growth / GDP / Investment

World Bank – Armenia Economic Updates
https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/armenia
(GDP growth, labor, macro indicators)

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Country Reports – Armenia
https://www.imf.org/en/Countries/ARM
(growth projections, fiscal reforms, inflation, structural changes)

EBRD Transition Report / Armenia country data
https://www.ebrd.com/armenia
(investment climate, banking sector strength, private sector development)

Armenia Statistical Committee (Armstat)
https://armstat.am
(official employment, wages, GDP data)

 

Anti-corruption / Governance Reform

Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index
https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/armenia
(Armenia’s score improved after 2018)

Freedom House – Nations in Transit Reports
https://freedomhouse.org/country/armenia
(democratic consolidation, governance changes)

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace analyses
https://carnegieendowment.org
(Velvet Revolution reforms, institutional transformation)

 

Foreign Policy Shift / EU & West Alignment

European Council / EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA)
https://www.consilium.europa.eu
(legal framework for deeper EU integration)

European Commission Armenia investment package announcements
https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu

Chatham House South Caucasus analyses
https://www.chathamhouse.org
(Russia dependency, diversification strategy)

Council on Foreign Relations backgrounders
https://www.cfr.org
(regional geopolitics and Armenia’s strategic balancing)

 

Conflict / Security Context

International Crisis Group reports on Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict
https://www.crisisgroup.org/europe-central-asia/caucasus

Human Rights Watch reports on Nagorno-Karabakh humanitarian situation
https://www.hrw.org

Amnesty International regional briefings
https://www.amnesty.org

European Parliament resolutions on Artsakh humanitarian crisis
https://www.europarl.europa.eu

 

Tourism / Tech / Economic Modernization

UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Armenia data
https://www.unwto.org

Armenian Ministry of Economy investment and tech sector reports
https://mineconomy.am

IT sector growth coverage – Reuters / Bloomberg regional reporting
(searchable articles on Armenia tech boom and Russian relocations)

 

Elections / Democratic Legitimacy

OSCE election observation mission reports (Armenia elections)
https://www.osce.org/odihr

Freedom House democracy scorecards
https://freedomhouse.org

https://thebluntpost.com/nikol-pashinyan-the-diplomat-who-inherited-a-broken-state-and-repositioned-armenia-in-a-dangerous-region/

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Foreign ministers of Arab, Islamic countries to hold meeting in Riyadh

Alex Jidarian

Read the article in: FrançaisՀայերենRussian

Saudi Arabia will host a foreign ministerial meeting involving a number of Arab and Islamic countries in Riyadh on Wednesday, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.

“On March 18, talks between the foreign ministers of Arab and Islamic countries will be held in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. The parties plan to discuss coordinating their actions to ensure security in the Middle East,” the Saudi foreign ministry said in a press release.

Published by Armenpress, original at 
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Pashinyan: Full support for Karabakh displaced persons to permanently settle i

Alex Jidarian

Social issues14:37, 18 March 2026
Read the article in: EspañolفارسیՀայերենRussian

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan reaffirmed on Wednesday that the Armenian government must support Armenians displaced from Karabakh in settling in Armenia.

Speaking at the conference titled “Inclusive Development: Achievements and Tasks,” he said:

“I consider it very important that we help our brothers and sisters displaced from Karabakh overcome their state of psychological uncertainty. I believe we should focus on providing full support to ensure that they obtain citizenship of the Republic of Armenia, settle in Armenia, and permanently link their future with Armenia. This is very important both politically and psychologically.”

Pashinyan emphasized that since 2023, he has personally maintained regular contact with individuals displaced from Karabakh, familiarizing himself with their problems and providing responses.

“Since 2023, around 145 billion AMD has been allocated from the state budget of Armenia through various programs to meet the needs of our compatriots displaced from Karabakh,” he said.

The Prime Minister added that, with government support, 1,700 families have already acquired housing in Armenia.

Read the article in: EspañolفارسیՀայերենRussian

Published by Armenpress, original at 
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An Urgent Need to Contain Turkey

Alex Jidarian

· MARCH 9, 2026


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Nicosia: March 26 deadline for Maronite, Armenian and Latin voters to check el

Alex Jidarian
Cyprus Mail
Mar 13 2026

The interior ministry announced on Friday that special electoral rolls for Maronite, Armenian and Latin communities have been published in preparation for the parliamentary elections on May 24.

The rolls, which list voters eligible to elect their representatives to the House, will be displayed for ten days, from March 16 to March 26, at district administration offices and the elections service offices.

“Voters belonging to these religious groups should check whether their names are included and submit any corrections or additions in a timely manner,” the ministry informed in a press release.

The ministry urged those who need to update their details to take action to ensure they can exercise their right to vote in the upcoming elections.

After the completion of the supplementary roll, the final electoral lists will be compiled on April 2.

This final roll will include all new voters who reach the age of 18 by election day, provided they submit the relevant application by the same date.

“The final roll ensures that every eligible member of the Maronite, Armenian and Latin communities will have the opportunity to participate in the elections,” the ministry added.

All three representatives elected will hold observer status in parliament, according to constitutional law.


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Over 45 Members of Congress Co-Sign ANCA-Backed Letter Advancing Pro-Armenian

Alex Jidarian
by Contributor

 

 March 12, 2026

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

Bipartisan Letter to House Appropriations Subcommittee Calls for Armenia Security Aid, Artsakh Refugee Relief, Azerbaijan Accountability, and TRIPP Oversight

WASHINGTON– The Armenian National Committee of America welcomed a Congressional Armenian Caucus letter — backed by over 45 Members of the House of Representatives — urging the House Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs to include critical pro-Armenia/Artsakh provisions in the Fiscal Year 2027 Appropriations Bill.

The letter, addressed to Subcommittee Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) and Ranking Member Lois Frankel (D-FL), calls for expanded U.S.-Armenia security cooperation, $100 million in humanitarian assistance for Armenians forcibly displaced from Artsakh, a prohibition on U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan, Global Magnitsky Act sanctions accountability measures, and meaningful Congressional oversight of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) framework.

“Over forty-five members of Congress have put their names behind a clear, principled message: the United States must stand with Armenia, hold Azerbaijan accountable, and deliver justice for the Armenians of Artsakh,” stated Aram Hamparian, ANCA Executive Director. “This letter — secured through the hard work of Armenian Americans mobilizing across the country — gives the Appropriations Subcommittee a bipartisan mandate to act. The FY27 appropriations process is one of the most powerful tools Congress has, and this Caucus letter puts that power to work for our Armenian American priorities.”

Congressional Armenian Caucus Founding Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) led the letter and was joined by Representatives Gabe Amo (D-RI), Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), Nanette Diaz Barragan (D-CA), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Don Beyer (D-VA), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Judy Chu (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), Danny Davis (D-IL), Valerie Foushee (D-NC), Laura Friedman (D-CA), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Steven Horsford (D-NV), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), John Larson (D-CT), George Latimer (D-NY), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Seth Magaziner (D-RI), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), James McGovern (D-MA), Rob Menendez (D-NJ), Dave Min (D-CA), Kevin Mullin (D-CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Chris Pappas (D-NH), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Luz Rivas (D-CA), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Janice Schakowsky (D-IL), Brad Schneider (D-IL), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Darren Soto (D-FL), Tom Suozzi (D-NY), Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Lori Trahan (D-MA), and Nydia Velazquez (D-NY).

Armenian Security Assistance
The letter calls for $20 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and $10 million in International Military Education and Training (IMET), warning that additional assistance “would play a critical role in strengthening Armenia’s defensive capabilities and establishing a deterrent against Azerbaijan’s unabated expansionism and threats of aggression and use of force.” The Caucus further cautioned that “the Aliyev regime will seek to take advantage of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and turmoil across the Middle East to press its military advantage against Armenia during this critical stage in negotiations.”

Humanitarian Relief for Displaced Armenians of Artsakh
The letter requests $100 million in AEECA Humanitarian Account funding, documenting that Azerbaijan’s 2023 invasion resulted in “the genocidal ethnic cleansing of the region’s entire indigenous Armenian population” following “a 10-month siege on the region, which saw Azerbaijan deliberately deprive over 120,000 ethnic Armenians access to food, fuel, medicine and other essential goods.” The Caucus warned that existing assistance “has been wholly insufficient to meet these families’ outstanding needs” and that Azerbaijan’s “continued refusal to guarantee the safe and secure return of Armenians to their homes, as required under international law, remains an ongoing obstacle to lasting peace in the region.”

Accountability for Azerbaijan and Release of Armenian Hostages
The letter calls for a full prohibition on U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan, documenting that “despite ongoing peace talks, Azerbaijan continues to engage in conduct that contradicts its stated commitment to peace” — including sentencing 16 Armenian prisoners of war to prison terms ranging from 15 years to life “following lengthy sham trials, during which Armenian detainees were subject to abuse and torture, and deprived of their fundamental legal rights.” The Caucus stated plainly: “President Aliyev has repeatedly demonstrated that he is not an honest broker for peace in the region, and the U.S. must not reward his regime with security assistance of any kind.” The letter also calls for a Global Magnitsky Act sanctions review targeting Azerbaijani officials responsible for human rights abuses.

TRIPP Oversight
On the TRIPP corridor framework, the letter acknowledges the agreement “raises concerns regarding Armenia’s sovereignty and ownership rights over its sovereign territory” and flags “unanswered questions regarding the security of the route, especially assurances that the route will not be used to facilitate military transportation or arms sales between Turkey and Azerbaijan, which would undermine Armenia’s security interests.” The Caucus also expressed concern over “Azerbaijan’s solicitation of foreign investment to engage in the demolition, reconstruction and redevelopment of formerly Armenian-populated areas,” calling for State and Commerce Department reporting on whether U.S.-based entities operating in Azerbaijan have “materially aided Azerbaijan’s ongoing human rights violations.”

The ANCA mobilized Armenian Americans nationwide through its action alert to contact their Representatives ahead of the co-signature deadline. Armenian Americans can continue to engage their Representatives and track legislative developments.

https://asbarez.com/over-45-members-of-congress-co-sign-anca-backed-letter-advancing-pro-armenian-foreign-aid-priorities/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQgjsNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe9gOBbE79WdRq4I7Ir_kFZ2AgqcVV4qUysQsrrooDsrVTFFn7SG9oaq_827M_aem_xj9fZxHMkmoEwREVfVfYog


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Asbarez: European Lawmakers Urge EU to Reassess Policy Toward Azerbaijan

Alex Jidarian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 March 11, 2026

 

in Artsakh, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

A group of 36 prominent Members of the European Parliament, representing the major political forces, issued a formal letter to European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, demanding a fundamental “reassessment and strengthening” of the EU’s policy toward Azerbaijan.

This effort was spearheaded Marie Toussaint, who, along with the other signatories raises a series of alarming developments, including the recent sentencing of Artsakh leaders to lengthy—including life—prison terms and documented evidence of Azerbaijan helping Russia circumvent EU sanctions, the European Armenian Federation for Democracy and Justice reported on Wednesday.

“Continued engagement without meaningful conditionality risks undermining the credibility of the European Union,” the signatories warned, citing a “systematic repression” of political opposition and a “hostile” rejection of EU diplomatic efforts by the Azerbaijani Parliament.

A central focus of the European lawmakers’ demand is the unresolved humanitarian crisis following the 2023 military offensive against Artsakh. The letter explicitly condemns the “continued denial of the rights of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh,” emphasizing that there is currently no credible framework for their right of return nor any functional mechanism for economic compensation for those displaced.

“The EU cannot remain silent while the fundamental rights of an entire population are erased,” the signatories stated, noting that the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly has already underscored the urgent need to address the status of displaced persons and the release of political prisoners.

The Members of the European Parliament called for five immediate actions:

A Human Rights Review: A comprehensive audit of the EU-Azerbaijan Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.
Targeted Sanctions: Activation of the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime against those responsible for arbitrary detentions.
High-Level Dialogue: An urgent summit to address the rights of displaced Armenians and the release of political prisoners.
Energy Suspension: The freezing of enhanced energy cooperation until Azerbaijan demonstrates tangible progress on human rights and sanctions compliance.
Anti-Circumvention Measures: Restrictive measures against entities, including the state-owned SOCAR, involved in facilitating Russian oil exports.

The letter also highlighted the the sentencing of Artsakh leaders such Ruben Vardanyan and Arayik Harutyunyan last month as a violation of international humanitarian norms. Furthermore, the letter pointed to the role of Azerbaijani nationals and networks in “shadow fleet” operations that allow Russian oil to bypass EU restrictions.

The European lawmakers concluded that the parliamentary momentum built throughout late 2025 provides a “clear political mandate” for Kallas to move beyond rhetoric and take principled action to defend the rule of law and international integrity.

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Asbarez: New Azerbaijani Attack ‘Highly Likely,’ Pashinyan Again Warns

Alex Jidarian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

An Armenia border patrol soldier in Gegharkunik


An attack by Azerbaijan against Armenia is “highly likely,” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan warned during an interview with France 24.

“Upon analyzing the statements coming out of official Baku, we conclude that indeed an attack on Armenia is highly likely,” Pashinyan said.

“Why?,” he asked, “because, for example, Baku very often makes statements about the so-called Western Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is basically calling the entire Republic of Armenia ‘Western Azerbaijan.’ calling the territories of the Republic of Armenia as belonging to Azerbaijani,” said Pashinyan.

“On the diplomatic front, Azerbaijan is assuring that it doesn’t have intentions to attack, but where do these opinions on the likelihood of an attack come from? First of all, upon expressing the publicly agreed principles in the text of the peace treaty we see some difficulties caused by Azerbaijan,” the prime minister added.

“Secondly, it is the public narrative voiced on the highest level, which, in short, is reflected in calling the Republic of Armenia as ‘Western Azerbaijan.’ Third, the aggression on the border. For example, the latest incident, when we had four deaths, this incident wasn’t anyhow justified,” Pashinyan said.

“They stated that one of their soldiers was wounded, and we stated that we would investigate, because there’s an order not to carry out any unjustified actions, and if it turns out that there is a violation of that order there would be consequences envisioned by law,” Pashinyan explained.

“Despite these statements, Azerbaijan took advantage of that occasion in order to display aggression. It is the combination of these facts that leads many Armenian and international experts to conclude that Azerbaijan is planning a new attack on Armenia,” said Pashinyan.

He also addressed Azerbaijan’s continued warnings about Armenia’s military reforms, specifically Baku’s condemnation of arms supplies to Yerevan by France, saying that efforts to revitalize Armenia’s army should not concern other countries.

“Azerbaijan raises an uproar every time we have new cooperation [agreements] in the military-technical sector, but it does not say anything about the billions of dollars its spends on arms purchases. This is an important fact,” Pashinyan told France 24.

“Why is Azerbaijan concerned about the reforms of the Armenian army when it continues to occupy sovereign territories of the Republic of Armenia, and when we propose, based on the Alma Ata Declaration, to delimit our borders and conduct a simultaneous withdrawal of troops? This would be a significant step toward mutual trust. The reforms in our army should not concern anyone,” added Pashinyan.

Media: Zelensky may visit Armenia in near future

Alex Jidarian
Kyiv Independent, Ukraine
Feb 23 2024

President Volodymyr Zelensky may visit Armenia in “the near future,” as relations between Kyiv and Yerevan warm up, the Armenian news outlet FactorTV reported on Feb. 23.

Preparations for the visit are currently underway, but the exact date has not yet been confirmed, the outlet reported, citing its sources.

Ukraine's charge d'affaires in Armenia Valeri Lobach neither confirmed nor denied plans for a visit were in the works in response to FactorTV, instead hinting that Zelensky is preparing to come to Yerevan, Armenia’s capital.

"I can only say that spring will bring many positive events to Armenia,” Lobach told the outlet.

Once a long time-ally of Russia, especially vis-a-vis its primary regional foe Azerbaijan, Armenia has largely refrained from getting involved in Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine.

The calculus changed after Russian "peacekeepers" failed to prevent Azerbaijan's offensive into the Nagorno-Karabakh region, primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, in September 2023.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Feb. 1 that Armenia's defense strategy cannot rely on Russia as it used to, and that Yerevan needed to more closely examine its security relations with the U.S., France, India, and other countries.

Lobach also told FactorTV that “Ukraine is ready to support Armenia,” and “will do everything for the regulation and stabilization of the region."

Zelensky met Pashinyan for the first time in October 2023 during his visit to Spain for the European Political Community Summit in Granada. The two discussed the security situation in the South Caucasus, bilateral cooperation, and interregional economic projects, Zelensky said at the time.

Armenia delivered its first batch of humanitarian aid to Ukraine in September of last year. Later in February 2024, representatives of the Union of Armenians of Ukraine and the Armenian Embassy in Ukraine delivered 10 tons of medical equipment to one of Ukraine's main military hospitals.

Sports: Sofia 2024 Day 7: Armenia wins gold and silver in non-Olympic categories

Alex Jidarian
Inside the Games
Feb 19 2024
  • By Rafael Khalatyan

    •  

  •  Monday, 19 February 2024

Armenia's weightlifters won their third gold and fifth medal at the 2024 European Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria. So far, however, all their medals have come in non-Olympic weight categories.

Hakob Mkrtchyan and Davit Hovhannisyan topped the podium in the men's 96 kg category. Hovhannisyan, the returning champion, was at his best in the snatch. He finished with 169 kg, 3 kg better than Mkrtchyan. Pavel Khadasevich (AIN) was third with 165 kg. But Mkrtchyan, former world champion, was more successful in the clean and jerk. 

He lifted 209 kg in his third attempt, while Hovhannisyan missed the 210 kg, and became double European champion with a total of 375 kg. Hovhannisyan was 1 kg behind. Yulian Kurlovich (AIN) was slightly better than Khadasevich in the clean and jerk, but it was Khadasevich who went home with the bronze medal in the total. 

Without Iryna Dekha there was no clear favourite in the women's 81 kg. Three lifters managed 103 kg in the snatch, but Weronika Zelinska (Poland) was the first to lift the weight and took the gold medal. Elena Erighina (AIN) was second and Ilke Lagrou of Belgium third. 

Zelinska and Erighina battled for the gold medal in the clean and jerk, with the Polish athlete finishing first with 132 kg, 1 kg ahead of Erighina. Lagrou failed in all three attempts, leaving Turkey's Dilara Narin in third place.

Katherine Vibert had come to the European Championships with the aim of improving her total and breaking into the top 10 of the Olympic rankings, but she failed all three attempts in the snatch at 110 kg and two attempts in the clean and jerk at 140 kg.