Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has once again addressed the current state of relations between Armenia and Russia. He commented in particular on Russia’s restrictions on imports of Armenian goods, an issue that has caused growing concern in Armenia. During a briefing, Pashinyan said the country should view the situation not as a crisis but as an opportunity to diversify its economy.
Journalists asked him to address the political dimension of the issue, arguing that it clearly extends beyond economics. Pashinyan said the problem stems from Armenia’s search for alternatives that it previously did not have.
As an example, he pointed to the signing of strategic partnership agreements with China, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France and other countries.
According to Pashinyan, Armenia had never before had — and could not have had — strategic relations with so many partners.
“I cannot speak about Russia’s feelings. I can say that Russia sees this as a problem. There is also an element of exclusivity here. The issue is this: either the relationship is exclusive, or there should be no relationship at all. We do not share that view,” he said.
Pashinyan said Yerevan’s position is “legitimate.” Armenia’s ties with Russia are not exclusive, he said, but the relationship should continue.
“I ask that our position be treated with understanding and respect, especially since its legitimacy is not questioned in practice,” he said.
Pashinyan also stressed that Armenia would continue discussions with Russia over the economic restrictions that Russia and the Eurasian Economic Union have imposed on Armenian goods.
“That would be the worst possible course of action,” he added.
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“What was wrong with Armenia? What did Armenia do?”
Journalists asked why Russia places such importance on Armenia’s political orientation and whether Pashinyan had given Moscow any reason to doubt that Armenia remains a reliable partner. In response, the prime minister posed a series of questions:
“What was wrong with Armenia in 2022 that the Collective Security Treaty Organization failed to fulfil its obligations? What did Armenia do wrong? Whom did Armenia harm? What did Armenia do that justified what happened?” he said, referring to Russia’s and the CSTO’s failure to respond after Azerbaijani forces entered Armenia’s internationally recognised territory in 2021–2022, despite the alliance’s obligation to act in the event of an attack on a member state’s territorial integrity.
What was wrong with Armenia that the Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh failed to fulfil their mission? Was the problem October 2022?” he continued, referring to the 6 October 2022 statement signed by Armenia and Azerbaijan in Prague, in which the two countries recognised each other’s territorial integrity. “But there were incidents even before that. What was wrong with Armenia? And why is it always assumed that we are the bad partner?”
“We are showing who needs Armenia”
Continuing on the issue, Pashinyan referred to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s remark, “Who needs Armenia?”
“Has Armenia harmed anyone? Has it harmed Belarus? How can anyone speak about a sovereign state like that?” he said.
Pashinyan argued that the Belarusian president had asked the question but failed to find an answer. Now, he said, Armenia is showing exactly who values relations with it.
“Armenia matters to China, the United States, the European Union and Iran. And Armenia needs all of those partners as well. Georgia needs Armenia, and Armenia needs Georgia. Armenia matters to France, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom. That’s the whole story.”
“The alternative is not yet in place” for a referendum
In recent months, Moscow has repeatedly urged Armenia to choose between the Eurasian Economic Union and the European Union. Russian officials have insisted that Armenia should hold a referendum on the issue as soon as possible. At the end of May, the leaders of four EAEU member states issued a joint statement calling for such a vote.
“I respect the fact that, on 29 May, the leaders of four EAEU countries issued a statement supporting the idea of a referendum on EU membership. But there is still nothing to vote on,” Pashinyan said.
He reiterated that it would make sense to hold a referendum only after Armenia obtains EU candidate status or once the issue formally appears on the agenda.
According to the prime minister, Moscow does not challenge Yerevan’s right to pursue alternatives. Instead, it is telling Armenia: “Decide today which alternative you choose.”
“But the alternative is not yet in place. The process of creating it has only just begun. It would be dishonest to ask people now whether they support an alternative that does not yet exist. They would ask many questions that we simply cannot answer today,” he said.
Pashinyan said the government would continue working to answer those questions before asking the public to make a choice.