April 13, 2026
The current government of Armenia is trying to destroy the memory of the Armenian Genocide. Nikol Pashinyan’s government actually denies the Armenian Genocide. 168 TVof Revue gave such an assessment on the air of the program Turkologist Mher Abrahamyanspeaking on the topic of the 111th anniversary of the Great Genocide and the developments taking place in the field of Armenian-Turkish relations.
“The government of Armenia denies the Armenian Genocide, and today’s ruler of Armenia announces in the same style as in the 2000s. Erdogan announced that “we need to understand whether this genocide happened or not, and for that we should choose historians who will study it.” Do you remember Erdogan’s statement in the early 2000s? In this case, today’s ruler of Armenia declares that “one thing we need to understand is who was guilty of this genocide”, commented the Turkologist.
Mher Abrahamyan notes that Azerbaijan is trying to take the initiative after the dismissal of Director Edita Gzoyan from the last famous incident that took place at the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute.
“The Azerbaijanis reacted very quickly to this and announced that it was not the Turks or the Azerbaijanis who committed the genocide, but the Armenians, and the steps that Armenia was taking until 2018-19. in various international platforms, not only for the purpose of international recognition of the Armenian Genocide, but also for the purpose of preventing genocides, were nullified, and now the Azerbaijanis are trying to fill its place with their own, that is, the Azerbaijanis should become the pioneers in this matter, along with it, denying the Armenian Genocide and advancing the invented “genocidal processes” in which Armenia has never participated, and it is a policy invented by them, which is one of the important emphasis of Azerbaijan, in opposition to Armenia and the Armenians.”
Taking into account that Turkey is now fully implementing “soft power” diplomacy towards Armenia, the Turkologist predicts that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will issue another standard statement on April 24, talking about “common pain” and denying the fact of the Armenian Genocide, and the current government of Armenia will take this into account and agree with that point of view.
Mher Abrahamyan is convinced that Erdogan will not come to Yerevan to participate in the 8th summit of the European Political Community to be held on May 4, despite Nikol Pashinyan’s invitation.
“Erdogan, I think, will never come to Yerevan, because Erdogan genetically hates Armenia and Armenians, and besides, having a very important role in the region today, he will never come to Armenia. he is of the position that they should go to the sultan, not the sultan should go to them,” the Turkologist believes.
Speaking about the US-Iran negotiations that took place in Islamabad on Saturday, the Turkish expert noted that it was clear from the beginning that the negotiations in Islamabad would not yield results. According to the Turkologist, Islamabad was an attempt to understand each other’s moods.
Mher Abrahamyan believes that war operations will continue in the region.
The Turkologist does not think that Turkey will be involved in the war against Iran, but he also adds that if Turkey enters the war, we can consider it the beginning of the third world war.
“Turkey conducted its diplomacy in a very professional manner. Being the only Muslim country in NATO, Turkey was able to very diplomatically use its position in the Islamic world, its relationship with the United States, and also very diplomatically use its relationship with Iran. Why did he do this? It is very important for Turkey to understand who can gain hegemony in the region: Iran by defending itself or the United States by conquering Iran, and Turkey did not make a mistake and, it can be said, showed restrained diplomacy in this war and tries to participate in various negotiations in every way, where it can win various dividends for itself.
If this happens and Turkey enters this war, it will lead to a much bigger global war. If Turkey participated in the war, we can consider that the third world war officially started. I don’t think that if Turkey starts military operations against Iran, the rest of the players in the world will just remain in the role of observers, and I don’t think that Turkey will enter this war against Iran,” Abrahamyan specifically mentioned.
Let’s remind that last year, 2025 On June 20, after the meeting with Turkish President Erdogan in Istanbul, Nikol Pashinyan announced that he was going to invite Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to participate in the 2026. at the European Political Community Summit to be held in Yerevan in the spring.
Full interview in the video.
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The End of Moscow’s Monopoly: America’s Strategic Victory in the South Caucas
Historically, the South Caucasus has been at the epicentre of great power rivalries, from Roman to Russian hegemonies, shaping a complex region marked by deep ethnic divisions. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the region has often been labelled as Russia’s backyard, but this dynamic is now shifting as growing American interest expands Washington’s sphere of influence directly along Moscow’s periphery.
The US Vice President’s historic state visit to Armenia and Azerbaijan on 9–11 February captured a pivotal moment in contemporary American foreign policy. What was once considered peripheral to American interests is now positioned to consolidate the United States’ strategic diplomatic and economic orbit. Under President Trump’s second term, Washington has emerged as a guarantor of regional peace, with plans to advance major investments in AI, defence, energy, and trade corridors. Key agreements totalled billions of dollars, signalling a westward reorientation amid declining Russian influence.
First American Vice President in Armenia
J D Vance honoured the Armenian victims of the tragic events of 1915 at the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex in Yerevan on 9 February as a gesture of solidarity prior to official talks with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. He continued to emphasize Armenia’s importance in the Christian faith as one of the first peoples to accept and missionize the religion. Both officials prioritized the TRIPP (Trump Route for Peace and Prosperity) initiative, designed to facilitate Armenia’s role as a Europe–Asia bridge for trade and energy flows. This economic corridor would enable Central Asian rare earth minerals, uranium, and other metals to be exported to Western markets via Azerbaijan and Armenia, including through the Zangezur, or Syunik, corridor, thereby significantly reducing US dependence on Chinese rare earth supplies, which currently account for approximately 70 per cent of American consumption.
‘Under President Trump’s second term, Washington has emerged as a guarantor of regional peace’
Among the many significant deals signed in Yerevan, the agreement on AI and semiconductors attracted considerable attention following the Vice President’s endorsement of NVIDIA’s partnership with Freebird AI. The project entails a $500 million initial factory, expanding into a $4 billion Phase 2 megaproject—one of the world’s top five GPU clusters—creating jobs and reducing US chip vulnerabilities.
Another civil nuclear agreement, aimed at reducing Yerevan’s reliance on Russian energy, secured a $5 billion US investment to construct small modular reactors, along with $4 billion in long-term support to help Armenia diversify its energy portfolio. A defence cooperation agreement included an $11 million V-BAT drone sale under the Foreign Military Sales programme, enhancing surveillance capabilities following joint ‘Eagle Partner’ exercises. In Armenia’s experience, drone supremacy proved decisive during the Second Karabakh War, when Azerbaijan deployed advanced Israeli and Turkish drones to shift the conflict’s outcome.
However, Iranian pressure on Armenian officials—Khalil Shirgholami confirmed that a deal is expected to be signed in 2026—could potentially complicate expanded military cooperation with Washington, given the sensitivity of exposing American technology to hostile states. The IRGC and Iran’s political establishment have consistently opposed President Trump’s regional peace efforts and have attempted to disrupt the process through various channels.
Vance’s Visit to Azerbaijan and the Charter of Strategic Partnership
Vice President Vance’s visit to Baku was the highest-level diplomatic trip of an American official to the nation’s capital since Dick Cheney’s 2008 tour of the South Caucasus. The Second Lady, Usha Vance and the Vice President paid their respects at the Alley of Martyrs, laying a wreath at the Eternal Flame to honour the victims of the 20 January 1990 Soviet massacre, symbolizing respect for Azerbaijan’s sovereignty.
The historic visit defines a turning point in US–Azerbaijan relations, underscored by the signing of the Charter of Strategic Partnership, which formalizes cooperation will cover defence, AI, counterterrorism, and Caspian maritime security. The agreement also encourages private US investment in Azerbaijan’s infrastructure, including the establishment of multiple AI data centres to expand America’s digital footprint, although specific financial figures remain undisclosed pending private sector commitments.
‘The historic visit defines a turning point in US–Azerbaijan relations’
The defence pact provides for the export of American-made patrol boats to complement Azerbaijan’s newly acquired Israeli-made ‘Sea Breaker’ precision-guided missiles, strengthening its capacity to address Iranian threats in the Caspian Sea. Integration into the TRIPP strengthens Azerbaijan’s posture in rerouting Central Asian rare minerals westward, enhancing US supply chain resilience which will ultimately grant Washington greater strategic access to the Caspian basin and the Middle Corridor.
The record of Azerbaijan is a testimony of its active participation in NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PfP) programme together with its peacekeeping operations alongside American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The country holds strategic importance for United States interests because it shares a border with Iran, and operates as a vital transportation link between Central Asia and the rest of the region.
Erosion of Russian Influence and the Rise of US Engagement
Under Nikol Pashinyan’s premiership, Armenia has transformed from a Russian satellite state into a pro-Western democracy, aiming to deepen its ties with the European Union and the United States. Following the peace agreement signed under the supervision of President Trump, Azerbaijan also appears to be moving along a more US-aligned trajectory.
Baku has traditionally maintained relatively pro-Western orientations due to its close ties with Ankara and Jerusalem, while supplying natural gas to more than a dozen EU member states. Recent developments further institutionalize both Yerevan’s and Baku’s political engagement, reflected in their accession to the Board of Peace as founding members.
For Armenia, Russia has proven to be an unreliable guarantor of its security, significantly eroding public trust. Fewer than 20 per cent of Armenians now perceive Russia as a reliable ally, compared to 93 per cent in 2013. Azerbaijan, meanwhile, is seeking the repeal of Section 907 following its suspension under President Trump’s rapprochement policy in August 2025, a move that would further enhance military ties between Azerbaijan and the United States.
Despite Russia’s role as a catalyst for renewed tensions and regional instability, both countries remain committed to learning how to coexist in peace. The downing of an Azerbaijani passenger plane in December 2024, along with Russia’s continued efforts to undermine Nikol Pashinyan’s democratically elected government, has discouraged both nations from seeking political alignment with Moscow. At the same time, US strategic interests in the region centre on preserving peace after three decades of continuous bloodshed.
Farid Shukurlu is a Research Fellow at the Danube Institute in Budapest. He holds an LLM in International Law from the University of Hull and a Bachelor of Social Sciences, magna cum laude, in International Relations and European Politics from Masaryk University, with additional studies in European Union law at Eötvös Loránd University.
His research focuses on international law on the use of force, security doctrine, and the foreign policies of the United States, the United Kingdom, Hungary, and Israel, with particular expertise in EU law and international law.
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The adventure of the US-Israel tandem ended in a strategic fiasco
A ceasefire has been established between Iran and the US.
According to me, the adventure of the US-Israel tandem has ended in a strategic fiasco. But that’s less important now.
What matters is that no more innocent people will be killed.
Of course, this conflict is not settled, institutional peace has not been established, but negotiations, no matter how difficult they are, are an opportunity for peaceful solutions.
Political scientist Suren Surenyants
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Everywhere you go, you’ll be called a traitor, Nicole
April 3, 2026
Edgar Ghazaryan and Davit Sargsyan of the “Erku front” podcast In the next edition, they discuss Pashinyan’s provocation in the church, the illegal persecution of school-age boys as a result of it, the numerous cases of people disrespecting him, accusing him, displeasing him, etc. during Pashinyan’s inglorious campaign.
Details in the video
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Iran Envoy Says Armenia Border Remains Stable Amid Conflict
Iran’s Ambassador to Armenia Khalil Shirgholami described the Armenia–Iran border as a “border of peace,” emphasizing its continued stability despite ongoing regional conflict involving Iran.
Speaking after visiting the border crossing, Shirgholami said there are no major disruptions, noting ongoing coordination between border, customs and security authorities on both sides. He added that no unusual incidents have been recorded and that traffic flows remain orderly, with recent declines in cargo volumes linked to Nowruz holidays rather than security concerns.
The ambassador also highlighted ongoing cooperation projects in southern Armenia, including meetings with Syunik Governor Robert Ghukasyan and inspections of infrastructure initiatives such as the Agarak–Kajaran road, the Kajaran tunnel and a power transmission line currently under construction.
Addressing the broader situation, Shirgholami said conditions within Iran are “not critical,” despite ongoing hostilities involving the United States and Israel. He stressed that public life continues normally, while acknowledging significant casualties, with more than 3,000 people reportedly killed since late February.
He expressed gratitude for humanitarian aid sent from Armenia, describing it as a sign of “warm friendship” between the two countries. He also confirmed casualties within Iran’s Armenian community, including the death of Hovhannes Simonyan in Isfahan.
Shirgholami noted that humanitarian needs remain high, particularly for medical supplies, and said Iran is documenting damages and will seek accountability under international law while prioritizing recovery efforts.
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Armenia Sets Sights on EU—Not Russia, as Pashinyan and Putin Meet in Moscow
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin, delivering a blunt assessment of Russia’s failure to uphold its security obligations, The Insider reported, citing Russian state media on April 2.
The meeting served as a public airing of grievances, with Pashinyan explaining the total “freeze” of Armenia’s participation in the CSTO
Pashinyan directly linked the decision to the 2022 events in Nagorno-Karabakh, where Azerbaijan seized control of the region while Russian peacekeepers and the CSTO remained sidelined.
“I am unable to explain to our people why the CSTO did not react despite the obligations,” Pashinyan stated. Putin countered by arguing that Armenia’s 2022 recognition of Karabakh as Azerbaijani territory in Prague made any intervention “incorrect,” a justification that Yerevan has long rejected as an excuse for inaction, The Insider wrote.
The conversation shifted to Armenia’s accelerating rapprochement with the European Union. Putin warned that simultaneous membership in the EU and the Russian-led EAEU is “impossible,” pointing to a sharp increase in energy costs if Armenia departs. Putin claimed that Russia currently supplies gas to Armenia at a subsidized rate of $177.5 per thousand cubic meters, whereas European spot prices exceed $600.
While Pashinyan acknowledged the technical incompatibility of the two customs unions, he maintained that Armenia would utilize both options for as long as possible before putting the final decision to a national vote, according to The Insider.
Regional Logistics and 2026 Elections Discussions also touched upon the restoration of railway links through Azerbaijan and the construction of a new nuclear power plant. Pashinyan clarified that Armenia is negotiating with multiple international partners to find the most advantageous deal for its energy future, signaling a move away from total dependence on Russian nuclear conglomerate Rosatom.
As the meeting concluded, Putin expressed concern over the upcoming Armenian parliamentary elections on June 7, 2026. He urged that all political forces, including those with pro-Russian stances, be allowed to participate.
This request comes as Armenia prepares for a final peace treaty with Azerbaijan in 2027, following a US-mediated joint declaration in August 2025 that effectively ended decades of military confrontation.
The diplomatic fracture between Aramenia and Russia intensified in June 2024, when Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan officially announced the suspension of Armenia’s participation in the CSTO, citing the alliance’s failure to defend the country against Azerbaijani incursions during the conflict in Nagorno Karabakh.
This decisive break was followed by a historic parliamentary vote on March 26, 2025, where Armenia approved a law to formally begin the process of joining the European Union. By August 2025, the United States successfully mediated a joint declaration between Armenia and Azerbaijan, signaling a shift toward Western security guarantees and away from Russian regional dominance.
The current April 2026 meeting in the Kremlin highlights the final economic hurdles of this transition, as Armenia weighs the immediate loss of subsidized Russian gas against its long-term aspirations for European integration.
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Holy Wednesday commemorates the fourth day of creation
Holy Wednesday commemorates the fourth day of creation, when God placed luminaries within the firmament of heaven and thereby heralded the birth of Christ, the Sun of Righteousness. Holy Wednesday is a picture of the fourth period, when Abraham received the news of Isaac’s birth (Genesis 17), the Jews left Egypt (Exodus 12:14), the Tabernacle was prepared (Exodus 25-27), and the children of Israel were transported to the Promised Land (Joshua 1-19).
Today we commemorate the anointing of Jesus Christ by the woman in Bethany and the betrayal of the Lord. The woman anoints Jesus with precious lavender oil. The disciples are angry, because by selling that oil, alms could have been given to many poor people. Jesus answers this complaint of the disciples.
“You have the poor with you every hour, but you will not always have me with you. By pouring that oil on my body, he foretold my burial. But I tell you the truth, wherever this Gospel is preached in the whole world, it will also be told in memory of what he did” (Matt. 26:11-13).
The evangelical reading of Holy Wednesday urges not to abuse God’s love and trust, to always remember His sufferings and death for humanity, not to deviate from the true path, to worship and glorify God.
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They discussed the adoption, amendment and referendum of the Constitution
A regular session of the Constitutional Reforms Council was held under the leadership of Minister of Justice Srbuhi Galyan, during which the following were discussed:
• regulations related to the executive power,
• Regulations regarding adoption, amendment and referendum of the Constitution.
The Ministry informs that Daniel Ioannisyan, a member of the Constitutional Reforms Council, presented the regulations he authored regarding the right to access the Internet, emphasizing its importance in a modern democratic society and from the point of view of ensuring fundamental human rights.
During the discussion, the participants presented their observations, recommendations and professional evaluations aimed at improving the presented projects. The Council continues its work in the direction of drafting the new Constitution.
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Armenian Education Minister, Qatari Ambassador discuss expanding bilateral coo
Armenia’s Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, Zhanna Andreasyan, received a delegation led by Mansour bin Abdulla Al Sulaiti, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Qatar to Armenia, the ministry said in a readout.
Deputy Minister Artur Martirosyan also participated in the meeting.
Minister Andreasyan congratulated the ambassador on the start of his mission and expressed confidence that his appointment would contribute to the further development and strengthening of Armenia–Qatar cooperation.
She emphasized the importance of expanding collaboration in the fields of education, science, culture and sports, noting the significant potential in these areas.
Ambassador Al Sulaiti thanked the minister for the reception and reaffirmed his commitment to contributing to the deepening and expansion of bilateral relations. He highlighted education, culture and sports as key areas of cooperation, noting that initiatives in these sectors could strengthen institutional ties and promote mutual understanding and friendly relations between the two peoples.
The ambassador also noted that his contacts with the Armenian community had made a strong impression on him and stressed that Armenia’s rich culture and history should be more widely presented in the Middle East.
Minister Andreasyan underscored that the development of education is a strategic priority for the Armenian government in terms of long-term development and the formation of competitive human capital.
In this context, the parties discussed cooperation in higher education and science. The minister presented ongoing reforms in these fields, including the “Academic City” project.
In turn, the ambassador noted that Armenia may find interest in Qatar’s “Education City,” which hosts a number of universities, student dormitories, and science and technology centers.
The sides also discussed prospects for deepening cultural cooperation. Minister Andreasyan highlighted culture as an important tool for strengthening ties between peoples. In this regard, the opening of an Armenian cultural corner in Qatar was noted, marked by the installation of the artwork “Freedom from Chains” brought from Armenia.
The possibility of holding Armenian Culture Days in Qatar, as well as Qatar Culture Days in Armenia, was also discussed.
Published by Armenpress, original at
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Armenia signs first-ever syndicated loan agreement to finance $300 mln Firebir
For the first time in the history of Armenia’s banking system, six financial institutions have signed a syndicated loan agreement to finance a major technology project, the Ministry of High-Tech Industry said in a statement.
Within the framework of the deal, leading banks and investment institutions have joined efforts to provide $300 million in financing to Firebird AI.
Minister of High-Tech Industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan congratulated the participants, noting that the investment is not only directed at Firebird AI, but also contributes to the development of Armenia’s technological sector, innovation, science, and overall economy.
Hayrapetyan expressed gratitude to the United States government, stating that the megaproject stems from strategic agreements signed in Washington in 2025, particularly a bilateral memorandum of understanding in the fields of artificial intelligence and semiconductors.
According to the minister, the project aims to implement the memorandum and ensure tangible results through the active support of the Armenian and U.S. governments, the efforts of the company’s founders, and the investments of Armenia’s financial and banking sector.
Remarks were also delivered by Martin Galstyan, Governor of the Central Bank of Armenia, and David Allen, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires in Armenia, as well as representatives of the participating institutions.
The agreement introduces a new practical lending format in Armenia’s financial market and is the largest deal to date in terms of both financing volume and investment scale.
The project envisages the establishment of a modern artificial intelligence data center in Armenia, based on advanced technological solutions from NVIDIA.
The total investment for the first phase is estimated at approximately $450 million. A large portion of the financing is being jointly provided by Ardshinbank, Acba Bank, Evocabank, Fast Bank, C-Quadrat Ampega Asset Management Armenia, and Amundi-ACBA Asset Management.
Published by Armenpress, original at
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