April 9, 2026
“We, as a state, should be interested in ending the war in Iran quickly. “Unfortunately, diplomacy and actual military operations do not always coincide, although a ceasefire was announced, but the shelling related to Lebanon puts the problem into question,” RPA Vice-President Armen Ashotyan said in a conversation with reporters in the court yard, talking about the processes taking place in Iran and the region and Armenia due to it.
Armen Ashotyan emphasizes that all this should be followed in Armenia, according to which, first of all, it is necessary.
“Stable region, united, undivided, strong Iran as a reliable, friendly state.
It is obvious that if Iran does not lose this war, and this seems to be accepted by Western circles, the Turkish factor will not get a chance to expand further, and this is a positive development for us. Otherwise, in the conditions of Russia’s consistent expulsion and Iran’s weakening, Turkey would completely fill the region with itself.”
Speaking about the consequence, Armen Ashotyan said that it refers to the American security guarantees, which do not work even for the states where the United States has military bases, and to which it has indeed given those security guarantees.
“In the case of Armenia, we know that after last year’s meetings in Washington, as a security factor, they tried to force us to simply be a witness by the US president. And we see that there are countries of the Persian Gulf that are directly under the protection of the US protectorate, but this did not protect them,” added Armen Ashotyan.
In this context, he also added that the last lesson to be learned is to make sure once again that small states do not have the right to become puppets in the hands of geopolitical games of big states, otherwise they will suffer first of all.
Details in the video of 168.am
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Zakharova Defends Russia’s Role in Nagorno-Karabakh Settlement, Emphasizes Re
On April 8, Maria Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, commented on a statement by Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry calling on Russia to refrain from mentioning the former separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region, describing such a position as contradictory. She noted that such remarks come despite Baku regularly expressing views on territories referred to by Moscow as new Russian entities, while continuing to regard them as part of Ukraine. Zakharova emphasized that Russia, including Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, played a key role in resolving the conflict over the former separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region, stressing that Moscow’s efforts in this direction date back to the 1990s.
According to her, it was due to these efforts that active hostilities were halted in the fall of 2020, while Russian peacekeepers ensured the ceasefire for nearly four years. She added that Russia’s involvement became a crucial factor in launching the current phase of normalization between Armenia and Azerbaijan, based on trilateral agreements reached between 2020 and 2022.
Zakharova also referred to the outcomes of the European Union-mediated summit held in Prague on October 6, 2022, where Armenia and Azerbaijan recognized each other’s territorial integrity in line with the UN Charter and the 1991 Almaty Declaration. She noted that in recent years, Baku and Yerevan have increasingly opted for direct dialogue without intermediaries, adding that Moscow has responded with understanding and has consistently supported constructive steps toward sustainable peace.
She further emphasized the importance of the initialing of the agreement on peace and interstate relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia in August 2025, as well as the decision by the OSCE to dissolve the Minsk Group institutions effective December 1, 2025, which, she noted, formalized the completion of the settlement process.
At the same time, Zakharova underlined that substantial work remains, including the signing of a comprehensive peace treaty, the restoration of transport and economic links, border delimitation and demarcation, and confidence-building between the two nations. She stated that Russia will continue to support these efforts at the request of both Baku and Yerevan. “The current stage of the settlement requires consolidating the achieved results,” she emphasized, expressing hope that normalization will become irreversible.
Zakharova also commented on statements by Alen Simonyan, the Speaker of the Armenian Parliament, regarding a possible response by Yerevan to changes in Russian gas prices. Reacting critically, she dismissed the remarks as emotional and inconsistent. “It’s a bit reminiscent of the story of threatening a hedgehog by revealing one’s capabilities,” she stated, adding that she did not consider such statements worthy of serious comment.
She recalled previous contradictory remarks about Armenia’s potential withdrawal from the CSTO and stressed that such issues should primarily be assessed within Armenia. “I think that Armenian citizens should be the first to comment on this,” Zakharova stated, noting that these politicians shape the country’s domestic and foreign policy.
Addressing energy cooperation, Zakharova referred to the April 1 meeting in Moscow between Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, and Nikol Pashinyan, the Prime Minister of Armenia, where gas supply terms were discussed. She noted that Armenia currently receives Russian gas at $177.50, compared to prices reaching $600 in Europe. “This example isn’t an emotional one, it’s a fact,” she emphasized.
She highlighted the importance of energy security, particularly amid volatility in global gas markets linked to escalating tensions in the Middle East, including US and Israeli actions against Iran. According to her, governments must focus on avoiding the risks posed by such instability.
Zakharova also addressed Armenia’s membership in the Eurasian Economic Union, recalling that the country joined the bloc in 2015. She cited data indicating that Armenia’s GDP has nearly tripled over the past decade, rising from $10.5 billion to $29.2 billion, describing this as a foundation of the country’s economic development.
Touching upon the CSTO, she described the organization as a key mechanism for ensuring the security of its members, including Armenia, while noting that Yerevan’s participation is currently effectively frozen as a result of decisions taken by its authorities.
In a separate comment, Zakharova addressed the potential impact of upcoming parliamentary elections in Armenia on relations with Russia and cooperation within the CSTO. She referred to discussions held during the April 1 meeting between Putin and Pashinyan and reiterated Moscow’s principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states. “We do not interfere in the domestic political affairs of other states,” she stated.
At the same time, she emphasized the historically close ties between Russia and Armenia, including cultural and societal links, as well as the presence of a large Armenian diaspora in Russia. “This is not a business project, but part of the historical essence,” Zakharova stated.
She added that while Russia does not interfere, it remains interested in ensuring that Armenian citizens can freely express their will in elections. She stressed the importance of democratic standards and equal participation, while noting that recent amendments to Armenia’s Electoral Code, adopted rapidly, raise certain concerns.
“The main thing is that this is not used to deliberately limit the opposition’s electoral opportunities,” Zakharova emphasized, recalling earlier statements by Nikol Pashinyan affirming Armenia’s commitment to democratic principles.
Concluding her remarks, Zakharova reiterated that Armenia remains a full member of the CSTO from a legal standpoint, despite ongoing speculation. “We are, of course, interested in the Armenian side returning to full participation in our shared security structure,” she stated.
https://caucasuswatch.de/en/news/zakharova-defends-russias-role-in-nagorno-karabakh-settlement-emphasizes-relations-with-armenia-and-azerbaijan.html
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Armenia welcomes US-Iran ceasefire, commends mediation efforts
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Wednesday said Armenia welcomes the “crucial decision” between the United States and Iran to cease all hostilities.
“Armenia welcomes the crucial decision between US & Iran to cease all hostilities. We also commend the mediation efforts, including those of Pakistan & firmly believe that diplomacy should prevail to resolve all outstanding issues & preserve peace in the Middle East,” Pashinyan said in a statement on X.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced the agreement late on Tuesday, just two hours before a deadline he had set for Iran to open the blockaded Strait of Hormuz or face the destruction of its “whole civilisation”.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he had invited Iranian and U.S. delegations to meet in Islamabad on Friday for talks.
Published by Armenpress, original at
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A simple test for the forces going to the upcoming elections
In Armenia in the 90s, the disappearance of the luma was presented as a technical detail. In fact, it was a political decision, a tacit admission that inflation had broken the basis of the measurement of value.
Today, when economic development is being talked about again, it is worth asking a simple question. why do we live without change?
The absence of luma not only simplifies the calculation. It also legitimizes “rounded” prices.
And the “rounded price” almost always works against the consumer.
This is not a small matter. This is a daily micro-inflation that no one calculates, but everyone pays.
So the question is much deeper:
Does the state protect the accuracy of the value, or has it come to terms with its distortions?
This is a simple test for the forces going to the upcoming elections. will they see this problem or will they continue to talk only about big numbers, ignoring the small but real losses?
Energy issues expert Vahe Davtyan
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Armenpress: Armenian Ambassador, Paraguay Diplomatic Academy Director discuss
Within the framework of her working visit to Paraguay, Armenian Ambassador Mariam Gevorgyan met with Estefanía Laterza de los Ríos, Director General of the Diplomatic and Consular Academy “Carlos Antonio López,” the Armenian Embassy in Uruguay said in a statement.
During the meeting, the parties discussed opportunities for cooperation between Armenia and Paraguay in the field of diplomatic education.
They also addressed prospects for exchanging experience and implementing academic programs, as well as ways to deepen ties between young diplomats of the two countries.
Published by Armenpress, original at
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Citizens voluntarily handed over weapons and ammunition to the police
As a result of the explanatory work conducted consistently among the population by the officers of the police territorial divisions, the voluntary surrender of illegally stored weapons and ammunition continues.
“Another case of voluntary surrender of illegally stored weapons and ammunition was registered in Vagharshapat Community Police Department. The citizen who called the police reported that he had left weapons and ammunition near the chapel located in the administrative area of Shahumyan village. The community policemen who went to the mentioned place found an AK-103 type rifle, a TOZ type rifle, a double-barreled rifle with a shortened barrel, a pistol, a F-1 type grenade, a grenade detonator, bullets, a bayonet knife and military equipment.
A case of handing over illegally stored weapons and ammunition was also registered in Jermuk community police department. The citizen who called the police had left the weapons near one of the springs in the administrative area of Jermuk city. Community police officers found a hunting sniper rifle, a 16 mm automatic firearm and 227 bullets of different calibers at the mentioned place.
A case of voluntary surrender of weapons and ammunition was also registered as a result of the explanatory work of the community police of Meghri.
The citizen who called the police had left weapons and ammunition in the area adjacent to the Agarak-Karchevan road. The community police found an “AK-74” type assault rifle and 341 bullets in the mentioned place.
The police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs urges to voluntarily hand over illegal weapons to the police in order to avoid criminal liability,” the message of the police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs says.
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Tehran rejects latest ceasefire proposal – IRNA
Iran has rejected the latest ceasefire proposal by regional mediators Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt, IRNA News Agency reported.
The agency said it has conveyed its response to the U.S. through Pakistan, a key mediator.
“We only accept an end of the war with guarantees that we won’t be attacked again,” Mojtaba Ferdousi Pour, head of the Iranian diplomatic mission in Cairo, told The Associated Press on Monday.
Published by Armenpress, original at
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UN Human Rights Council unanimously adopts Armenia’s Genocide Prevention Resol
On March 30, the United Nations Human Rights Council unanimously adopted a resolution titled “Prevention of Genocide,” presented by the Republic of Armenia during its 61st session.
The biennial resolution is grounded in the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and plays a significant role in translating the Convention’s provisions into the operational framework of United Nations policies.
The resolution aims to advance the concept of early warning in genocide prevention and to define a framework of risk factors, including hate speech, discrimination, and impunity. It also underscores the importance of timely response, which can be critical in preventing the escalation of violence.
By placing genocide prevention firmly on the international agenda, the resolution highlights the issue as a key priority in contemporary diplomacy. It contributes to strengthening international justice mechanisms and addresses emerging global developments and challenges that require increased attention.
This year’s resolution also proposes reinforcing the mandate for genocide prevention within the context of the “UN80” reform process, while drawing attention to the risks posed by algorithmic systems and artificial intelligence. It warns that such technologies may facilitate the spread of disinformation and hate, potentially undermining human rights and distorting information flows.
In addition, the resolution supports efforts toward the universal ratification of the Genocide Convention, encouraging states that have not yet joined to do so without delay.
As in previous years, Armenia’s resolution has garnered broad support from UN member states across all regional groups. This is reflected in the high number of co-sponsors, which had already reached around sixty at the time of adoption.
The resolution reaffirms Armenia’s call on the international community to unite in preventing the crime of genocide worldwide.
Note: A previous resolution on the same topic, also introduced by Armenia, was unanimously adopted on April 3, 2024, during the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council.
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Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 26-03-
The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 26 March, USD exchange rate up by 0.16 drams to 377.36 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 1.63 drams to 436.15 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.0817 drams to 4.5802 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 1.97 drams to 503.93 drams.
The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.
Gold price up by 1855 drams to 55379 drams.
Published by Armenpress, original at
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Sports: Armenian pair advance to free skate at World Championships
Armenia’s Karina Akopova and Nikita Rakhmanin have qualified for the free skate at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Prague after a strong performance in the short program.
Competing to “Artsakh”, a composition by Ara Gevorgyan, the pair scored 67.12 points, placing eighth among 21 teams and securing a place in the next round. The free program is scheduled for 26 March.
The duo previously earned 66.27 points at the Winter Olympics qualification event held in Italy in February.
Armenia is also represented in the men’s event by 19-year-old Simyon Danilyants, who is set to compete in the short program on 26 March, with the free skate to follow on 28 March.
The World Figure Skating Championships are being held from 24 to 29 March.
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