April 19, 2026
In 1930, the construction of the Kanaker hydroelectric power station began in Yerevan. It is being built on the middle course of the Hrazdan River, between Arzni and Kanaker. The construction of the hydroelectric power station was completed in 1936. The water coming out of the Arzni hydroelectric power plant, which was already used to generate electricity, is transported to the Kanaker hydroelectric power station. Here they pass through a special canal, the length of which is about 13 km. The total capacity of the plant is about 100 megawatts.
The station works with an automatic system, and its commissioning in 1936 was an important step on the way to the formation of the unified energy system of Armenia. As a result of the work of the aqueduct here, water reaches the irrigation canals of Arabkir and Dalma, as well as the water station of Kotayk region. The work of this industrial enterprise was conditioned by the construction of the Sevan electric cascade.
In 1934, the famous Armenian writer Derenik Demirchyan writes his review “About Kanakerges”, where he tells about his visit there, describes it and a number of details inside the structure.
“The Kanakerges system originates from Arznu valley. There is his dam, then the tunnels, then the canal, which comes down the high ravine below the village of Kanaker. And from here, through pressure pipes from a great height, the water of the canal will hit the power plant in the valley with tremendous force and produce that amazing energy. It was last year, on a crazy day in July, I went to visit that giant.” (D. Demirchyan, “Collection of Countries”, Volume IV, Yerevan, 1978, page 148).
Then Demirchyan continues the description and tells about an interesting incident that happened in 1932. It turns out that at that time there was a big construction accident at the Kanaker hydroelectric power plant, but thanks to the efforts and dedication of the workers, the construction managers, it was possible to prevent the big disaster.
“- Are you tired?
– Yes, a little… all night long, you know, they put concrete in the part of the turbine.
And he looks ashamed and smiles tiredly, as if he is excusing himself. Eyes bulging and glowing feverishly. Was sleepless all night. The sound is broken.
– Well, don’t you trust your assistant, masters?
– I’m sure, of course, but… you know… it’s a very responsible procedure. Every cubic meter of concrete that is placed must be placed correctly and permanently. Make a mistake, you can’t fix it. You have to see every detail with your own eyes…
However, he is embarrassed to talk about himself. The word turns…
– I have many conscientious and trained people and selfless workers. Whatever they are!
It was the 12th anniversary of the Sovietization of Armenia, the night of November 28. We were preparing to give a report to the party. Suddenly, a large crack in the base of the station. 36 meters long and 4 meters deep. We will give a good report… And we were happily preparing for the magazine in the afternoon. We had victories. And here is the crack, that too in the foundation… Both the journal and the report were ruined. The boys passed each other.
Commercials and masters. There are workers who were “born” in this building, their eyes were opened in this struggle. Water was seeping through the crack. We had to connect the water and pour concrete into the crack. – Friends, we will not give up our positions, the crack will be filled tonight. The boys wrung their hands and fell from the mouth into the valley and an amazing fight against the crack began. The brigades set a task of honor – “to report tomorrow that the breach is closed”. 500 cubic meters of concrete went and the crack was sealed. We didn’t sleep all night, we fought anxiously, the day dawned and we gave the victory report.” (Ibid., p. 149-150).
The construction of the Kanaker hydroelectric power station was not only an important manifestation of technical progress, but also one of the industrial pillars of Armenia. It combined the efficient use of natural resources and engineering thinking. Derenik Demirchyan’s review completes this picture, showing that behind the structure stood not only mechanisms, but also dedication and responsibility of people. Kanakerges is presented not only as an engineering structure, but also as a symbol of the will and work of the Armenian people.
Z. Sh:i was late
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“Record” 0.3 percent growth. Gevorg Papoyan’s tourist “balloon”
April 19, 2026
When tourist flows to Armenia increased in January, the Minister of Economy hastened to announce that this January was the best of all Januarys in Armenia. However, in the following months, Gevorg Papoyan stopped talking about the “best Januarys”.
In the following months, although tourist flows were higher than the previous year, they were no longer “historical records”.
As in February, the tourist flows increased in March, but after the decrease of last year. Flows never recovered to pre-decline levels. Fewer tourists came to Armenia in both February and March of this year than in 2024. in the same months. Compared to two years ago, tourist flows have decreased. The Minister of Economy does not talk about it, instead, he tries to create the impression that Armenia is at a record level of tourist flows.
“Armenia has achieved very good results in the field of tourism.
In particular, 453,138 tourists came to Armenia in the three months of this year. This is 18.2 percent or more than 70 thousand tourists more than the index of the same period last year.
This is a record index in the history of Armenia’s tourism statistics,” the Minister of Economy wrote on his Facebook page the other day.
That “record indicator”, which the Minister of Economy is talking about, was recorded exclusively on account of January. In the following months, the flows were no longer the same, they were less than they were even 2 years ago, and this gives reason to think. Especially after the investments of millions of dollars, which are directed to promote tourism and form new clusters. They take loans to develop tourism, to increase tourist flows, but as we can see, they do not always increase.
For example, in February of this year, far fewer tourists came to Armenia than in 2024. 2024 in February, tourist flows were 127.2 thousand, in February of this year – about 121.3 thousand. There was a decrease of almost 6 thousand in two years.
The same thing happened in March. Fewer tourists came to Armenia in March this year than in 2024. in the same month. This year, 152.4 thousand came, in 2024. 152.8 thousand came in March.
Not to mention 2023. about when the tourist flows were incomparably more in those months. 2023 in February, more than 130 thousand tourists came to Armenia, almost 9 thousand more than this year. 160,000 people came in March, compared to 152,400 this year.
Historical records of tourist flows in these months, which they love, are 2-3 years old. They haven’t been able to update those records for two or three years. And this speaks not only about the “effectiveness” of the programs implemented by the authorities in the field of tourism, but also about the “peace” they brought. Last year, Nikol Pashinyan announced that peace is already giving its results: tourism in Armenia is experiencing the best times and it will only be like this from now on. Now we see how tourism is experiencing its best times.
In those “best times”, tourist flows are less than when tourism was not experiencing the best times, and “peace” had not yet been brought.
In general, in 2026 7.1 thousand fewer tourists came to Armenia in February-March than in 2024. in the same months, 17.2 thousand less than in 2023. in the same months.
Of course, January is an exception and it is solely because of this that the Minister of Economy reserves the right to talk about “records”. Although, if he had thought a little longer, he might have given up such lofty statements.
The records, which one of the most active propagandists of the government is talking about, are even difficult to call growth. Do not believe, see for yourself.
Until now, according to the results of the first quarter, the highest indicator of tourist flows to Armenia was recorded in 2023. At that time, tourist flows exceeded 451.8 thousand. This year they reached 453.1 thousand. Now look at the difference: it is only 1.3 thousand.
That 1.3 thousand is the record they managed to reach after 3 years.
The growth in 3 years was barely 0.3 percent. “It is a great achievement” and a “record” growth for the Minister of Economy.
Tourism is developed and promoted with such growths and achievements. Tourist flows increased by 0.3 percent in three years. And that 0.3 percent is the record that the Minister of Economy is proud of.
After that, recently they took another loan of 100 million dollars, put a large debt on the state, as if they should create new clusters and increase tourist interests. Soon that money will be spent in the name of promoting tourism and increasing tourist flows, but in the end we will face the sad fact that we see now in the distance of a few years.
The small increases that are recorded from time to time in this area are not developments at all. They are just about survival. At this pace, it will never be possible to achieve great results. Last year, when Nikol Pashinyan said that tourism in Armenia is experiencing its best times, tourist flows increased by only 2.5 percent. However, the rate of growth in neighboring Georgia was 3.4 times higher. Georgia was visited by more than 5.5 million tourists, and Armenia by barely 2 million 263 thousand, less than 3 years ago, when tourist flows exceeded 2 million 316 thousand.
HAKOB KOCHARYAN
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“The Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex will be open on April 24, and the construction works will
April 19, 2026
In August last year, the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute announced that the 2nd stage of the construction works of the Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex is starting. During the construction works, the 3 facades of the monument must be repaired.
One of the co-authors of the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex and Museum-Institute project is Sasur Kalashyan, an honored architect of the Republic of Armenia. according to him, the repair works of 3 fronts will be completed by April 24, that is, the memorial complex will be open to visitors on April 24.
“On April 24, the Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex will be open, the construction works have been completed, and the area has been cleaned. Visitors will see the previous appearance, the quality of construction works is sufficient, they were not in a hurry, there are no problems. The general works are under our control, we are not the only ones who supervise, they come from the Department of Monuments Protection, they also supervise in their turn, there are no complaints.” 168.amSashur Kalashyan said in a conversation with
According to the architect, after April 24, other buildings will also be renovated.
“We have still repaired 3 facades, while there are 12 facades, that is, 9 facades need to be repaired. We will still decide whether to do it completely or in parts, I think we will do it in parts.
I am actively involved in all the works, once or twice a week we must go to the Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex, get acquainted with the works being carried out,” said Sashur Kalashyan.
As for the renovation of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, the architect said that the roof is being repaired, the front part is being cleaned from salting. On April 24, those works will be completed, as a part of the roof is being done, it will be completely sewn later.
It should be noted that the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute was opened in 1995, during the 80th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The architects of the museum-institute are Sashur Kalashyan, Artur Tarkhanyan, the sculptor is Ferdinand Arakelyan.
The visit of official delegations arriving in Armenia to the Armenian Genocide Museum is planned by the state protocol.
The construction of the Armenian Genocide Memorial was completed in 1967, the opening took place on November 29 of the same year, during the Soviet rule, when the national ideology, including the mention of the Armenian Genocide, was rejected.
The memorial is dedicated to the memory of 1.5 million innocent victims killed by the Ottoman authorities in Western Armenia in 1915.
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Madam Minister, Your Political Shows and Discotheques Will Collapse
April 19, 2026
The Minister of Health of the Republic of Armenia summarized the 100 days of insurance with a closed discussion, then announced: “everything is fine”, “the doctors are not dissatisfied”, “the professional community is making a political show”.
About this 168TVof “Healthy Decision” spoke during the program Anush Poghosyan, president of “Right to Health” NGO:
According to him, this is already an approach. when reality does not match the report, it is replaced by labeling.
“If everything is good, why do doctors talk about low salaries, why do medical institutions not understand financial flows, why do patients not understand what is free?” This is not a “show”. This is a signal that the system is not working,” the health care expert presented the situation.
The latter added that instead of responding to the criticism, however, it is labeled as “politics”.
“And this is done by an official who himself brought politics to health care, from ‘happy buses’ to public PR events.” In fact, the professional community is trying to save the system. But today, the path of silence is not chosen. The minister covered up his incomplete activity or inactivity under the name of “political shows”. In reality, such cheap manipulations on the eve of the elections will have a post-election snowball effect, and we will have a health care collapse,” said Anush Poghosyan.
Details in the video.
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Only the people can close Artsakh’s page, and that too by forgetting. should not be allowed
April 19, 2026
We have always said that the page of Artsakh has not been closed and cannot be closed. This is not a question of political conjuncture, it is a question of value system. The issue of Artsakh can be closed only by the Armenian people, and only by forgetting about Artsakh. This is what Nicole does. The most important, base level of this fight is not to forget, because if that happens, that’s it. Empty promises cannot be made, but the issue must be kept alive. The issue of Artsakh is in an existential crisis due to the joint efforts of Nikol and Aliyev and because some circles do not talk about it at an insufficient level. If Artsakh needed recognition before, now everything has turned so that we have returned to elementary rights. to the issue of securing the right of return, property rights, spiritual and cultural heritage. That is our footprint in Artsakh. That’s why Aliyev deletes them. When the world returns to regular relations, it is important that the Armenian state represents the Armenian people.
About this “Pressing” said on the air of the program Satik Seyranyan’s guest is Armen Ashotyan, vice-chairman of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA).:
What again?erwhose TRIPP to the project, Armen Ashotyan emphasized again: TRIPP-is the same «“Zangezur Corridor”.
“Guys, if TRIPP is the Bell Corridor, how are you for TRIPP?” Cognitive dissonance sets in. In the corridor of Zangezur, they put on LEVIS pants and say it’s TRIPP. Because of the Iran war, that project was suspended, but the Turks and Azerbaijanis are actively lobbying the Israelis and Great Britain, they are building the “Zangezur Corridor” and are going to open it in 4-5 years… I see a strange complacency in the opposition. TRIPP may not be the result of the Iranian war, it may remove the American packaging, but the pan-Turkish component has not disappeared, and if it continues like this, the “Zangezur Corridor” will be. concluded Armen Ashotyan.
Details in the video.
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You killed an 86-year-old man with his 14-month-old granddaughter, what are you happy about?
April 19, 2026
In the 21st century, we live in an era of post-truth or metamodernism, and wars and victories also fit into this context. Even before this war, the negotiations were proceeding normally, they did not reach a deadlock, but the war started. With this war, Iran broke stereotypes, and when the whole world said that Iran would collapse in a few days, Iran proved that Iranian civilization gave birth to a political system, and today’s Iran is a state like a stump, whose roots go back centuries. Iranian society also became united, rallies and disagreements were left behind, religious leaders were ready for martyrdom. The state, under sanctions for decades, did not collapse.
About this “Pressing” in the program spoke Turkologist, doctor of historical sciences, professor Ruben Melkonyan:
According to him, Iran’s red lines began to work and it began to strike American strategic facilities in the region. There was no blitz-war, no internal collapse of Iran, no Iranian capitulation.
«In all wars in the 21st century, the sides say we won. Even after the 44-day war, where we unfortunately lost, after some time Nikol Pashinyan announced that we won and gained independence and a state. In this case, America declares that it won, Iran says that it is the winner. I can say that Iran suffered unspeakable great losses, but entered the negotiation field with a better position, the Iranian state had gains. Iran has proven that it can go up against the world’s number one superpower, plus Israel, proving that its dignity is non-negotiable. Iran struck and American bases and Israeli cities, shattering their image of being unhittable. In fact, it was also recorded that the control of the Strait of Hormuz is given to Iran, and today the world is fighting for the control of the corridors.…
How can one gleefully announce the destruction of a centuries-old civilization, or kill an 86-year-old spiritual leader with a minor granddaughter, and announce it with hilarious dance moves, as Trump did? The time will come when eccentric leaders will be replaced by non-eccentric leaders. It was only after the intervention of the no-eccentric Vance that the current truce became possible. It is in the interests of world peace to end the era of eccentric leaders,” said Ruben Melkonyan.
Details in the video.
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168: The people will protest on the occasion of the European summit to be held in Yerevan
April 19, 2026
“Pressing” said on the show Armen Ashotyan, Vice Chairman of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA).the, referred to the international structures, the visits of their heads to Yerevan and their influence on the internal political, in particular, electoral processes.
“The UN is an international organization consisting of 197 countries, which is in a deep systemic and institutional crisis. The main actors in the UN, apart from the 5 permanent members of the Security Council, whose opinion we know, are either Islamic states under influence or small poor states. It is naive to think that EU, OSCE, CIS observation delegations will be bad, but the UN will be good. This will not work. Yes, observation missions are important, but in this case, local observers, whom Nikol opposed before the elections, are much more important. If something like this were to happen in our time, the EU ambassador would be in Republic Square would do harm,” said Armen Ashotyan, adding that the policy of double standards in the European conjuncture is disgusting.
According to him, on the occasion of the European summit to be held in Yerevan, the Armenian people will show that they are not plants, so that they do not put us in the place of a donkey, that they do not come to our house, eat and drink, and ask how we are…
“We’re bad… If they come to Yerevan on those days and don’t see pickets, protests, if the international media don’t show that we raised our voice that day… then let’s go and die… They will understand that they didn’t come to Armenia for the weekend.
Marta Kos is a serious woman, she cannot come to Armenia and tell a lie, say: you know, you have a prospect of becoming a member of the EU. But I got angry because he came to Yerevan and Gyumri, ran around for two days, and didn’t put up a single poster or picket against them. We missed a cool chance. Now that woman will go to Brussels and say: everything is fine, no lawyer approached me, did not convey anything on political topics, I did not see any demonstration, long live Nicole… There are so many people sitting, what if someone’s child or grandchild didn’t go? Martha Kos said, give this letter to my father or grandfather… This is how European politics works. I’m sorry that we didn’t understand that,” concluded Armen Ashotyan.
Details in the video.
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Turkey promotes Middle Corridor through Armenia as alternative to Strait of Ho
Ankara hopes to open its border with Armenia and create a new trade route between Europe and Asia, writes the Financial Times
Turkey has stepped up the promotion of the so-called Middle Corridor as an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, hoping to open its border with Armenia and create a new trade route between Europe and Asia, writes the Financial Times.
This refers to the TRIPP project (Trump’s Path to International Peace and Prosperity), supported by the US president as part of the peace initiatives between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Turkish authorities have already begun preparations to reopen the Alikan border crossing, closed 32 years ago, the article says.
„We do not know when the border will open; the date is constantly changing. “But everyone thinks it will happen soon,” a Turkish border guard told the publication.
Ankara hopes to establish itself as a key transit hub amid risks to supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has previously said that Turkey is becoming an “island of stability” and is seen as a secure route for energy supplies.
The Middle Corridor envisions a land link between China and Europe via the Caucasus and Turkey. According to former Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, delivery along this route could take 12-15 days, compared to around 40 days by sea. The supply potential is expected to increase from 5 million to 20 million tons per year.
The EU calls Turkey a “critical partner“, and the expansion of the corridor “a game-changer“.
However, the project faces a number of risks: complex logistics across the Caspian Sea, differences in rail infrastructure and political factors. The route passes close to Iran and Russia.
Experts note that the implementation of TRIPP depends on political support and investment from the United States and in the short term it is unlikely to replace sea routes or the northern corridor through Russia.
Last fall, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev announced the imminent completion of the Zangezur transport corridor, known as the “Trump Road“, in the country. He noted that the railway, with a capacity of 15 million tons of cargo per year, will become a key link in the Middle Corridor – the Trans-Caspian international route.
The Zangezur Corridor is a planned transport route that will connect the mainland of Azerbaijan with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic through the Syunik province in southern Armenia. It will be approximately 40 kilometers long. The project is planned to include the construction of a highway and a railway.
The project was dubbed the “Trump Road to International Peace and Prosperity” after the signing of a peace declaration by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev during a meeting with Donald Trump.
The Zangezur Transport Corridor, which is currently under construction, has the potential to have a significant impact on the global economy. According to World Bank estimates, its opening could increase annual global trade by $50-100 billion by 2027.
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Azerbaijan’s Exports to Armenia Reach $5.8 Million, While Imports from Armeni
This material is part of a partnership with OC Media. You can read the original English version here.
In the first quarter of 2026, Azerbaijan exported $5.8 million worth of products to Armenia, while imports from Armenia totaled just $960. Meanwhile, the Armenian side emphasized that Armenia has not yet carried out any exports to Azerbaijan, and media outlets suggested that this figure could have resulted from gifts brought to Azerbaijan by representatives of Armenian civil society.
The Armenian publication CivilNet, citing the State Revenue Committee of Armenia, reported that the country’s customs authorities recorded no instances of export to Azerbaijan. The Ministry of Economy of Armenia provided similar information to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL).
At the same time, RFE/RL suggested that the $960 sum could have been composed of gifts presented by Armenian experts and civil society representatives to their Azerbaijani colleagues during visits to Azerbaijan. Specifically, Boris Navasardyan, honorary president of the Yerevan Press Club and a participant in such meetings, noted that Armenian delegations often gave sweets and tea to Azerbaijanis.
Representatives of Armenian and Azerbaijani civil society have made mutual visits in recent months as the two countries move toward signing a peace agreement.
The most recent such visit took place in early April: an Armenian delegation arrived in Azerbaijan via a demarcated land section of the border in the northern part of the Tavush province, heading to the Gazakh district.
The Azerbaijani state news agency Azertac reported that Azerbaijan’s exports to Armenia accounted for 0.11% of the country’s total export volume for the first three months of 2026.
Separately, the pro-government Azerbaijani outlet APA noted that oil products made up the bulk of trade between the two countries, though it did not specify which goods Azerbaijan imported from Armenia for the $960 amount.
Trade between the two countries began only late last year following the initialing of a peace treaty in Washington in August, which could potentially end the long-standing conflict.
In January, Armenia and Azerbaijan exchanged lists of potential goods for trade.
Later, Armenian Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan told Armenian media that Yerevan is negotiating with Baku on the export of aluminum foil, raw materials for its production, ferromolybdenum, livestock, raw materials for brandy production, tobacco, textiles, roses, and other greenhouse products.
Last year, Azerbaijan exported $788,800 worth of goods to Armenia. There were no exports from Armenia to Azerbaijan.
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‘They are stealing the election’: How Armenia became the next Russia-EU battle
The European Union breathed a sigh of relief last week when Hungary voted out Prime Minister Viktor Orban in favour of Peter Magyar.
Like Moldova’s election last year, the vote was seen as an ideological battleground between the Kremlin and Brussels.
Orban, a long-standing ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, will be replaced by Magyar, who said he wants to repair ties with the EU. “Hungary has chosen Europe,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said after the results were announced.
Now the bloc’s attention is shifting further east towards another former Soviet Union country seen to be making a similar choice: Armenia.
But this could have long-lasting consequences for the Armenian people, according to some observers.
A step towards Europe
The June 7 parliamentary elections in Armenia matter for Europe, as public opinion in the country – long aligned with Russia – is now turning toward Brussels.
While campaigning officially begins 30 days before the election, candidates have already hit the trail.
The current front-runner in the polls is Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the head of the political party Civil Contract. He came to power in 2018 after being elected in the wake of the Velvet Revolution, a series of anti-government protests. He is seeking reelection on a pro-European campaign.
One of his strongest opponents is Samvel Karapetyan, the Russian-Armenian billionaire who leads the Strong Armenia party. In 2025, he was arrested with 13 others on suspicion of attempting to destabilise the government.
But there are also a handful of other pro-European candidates, said Eric Hacopian, a political analyst at CivilNet, who points to such figures as Hayk Marutyan, the former mayor of Yerevan.
“This is a very interesting election because … you see the creation of a non-old regime, pro-Western opposition,” Hacopian said.
“And if they can actually make a breakthrough and enter the parliament, it will change our political system in a way that it hasn’t been changed since the 2018 revolution.”
Armenia’s changing relationship with Russia
Yerevan’s ties with Moscow have weakened since 2023, when nearly 100,000 ethnic Armenians fled Nagorno-Karabakh following Azerbaijan’s takeover of the region.
Yerevan accused Russian peacekeepers who were deployed to the enclave, previously controlled by Armenians, of failing to stop Baku’s military campaign.
Armenia has since suspended its membership of the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), which, like NATO, has a clause on mutual protection for its members.
“That scar is going to haunt this region for decades to come, no matter how much they try to bury it,” Hacopian said, referring to the nationwide mourning after the loss of Nagorno-Karabakh.
However, Yerevan is still an active member of the Eurasian Economic Union, which, like the EU, allows the freedom of movement of labour, goods and capital across its member states: Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
Russia also maintains a military base in Gyumri, Armenia’s second-largest city, and Russian remains widely spoken.
Security concerns
Because of Nagorno-Karabakh, Russia is no longer seen as a strong protector against Armenia’s neighbours, Azerbaijan and Turkey.
Pashinyan has suggested that his party losing the election could lead to more war.
And one of the reasons why Armenian politicians are courting the bloc is that it is associated with “security and prosperity”, according to Steve Nix, the International Republican Institute (IRI)’s senior director for Europe and Eurasia.
In a poll conducted by the IRI in February 2026, 72 percent of Armenians now support joining the European Union.
“The EU is very appealing,” Nix said. “So whatever campaign can convince the Armenian public that they can guarantee peace, prosperity and EU membership … That’s the message that’s gonna win over Armenia.”
In the same IRI poll, 29 percent of Armenians said that they saw Russia as the country’s greatest political threat, while only three percent said it was the European Union.
However, 43 percent of respondents said Moscow was Yerevan’s most important political partner.
Strong Armenia is trying to court this base, warning that Armenia could see an “economic war” with Russia if Pashinyan’s party stays in power.
Earlier this month, Putin told Armenia that it cannot be a part of both the Moscow-led economic alliance and the European Union.
Brussels is also getting involved in the election. In December of last year, the EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also said that Armenia had asked the bloc for help.
“Armenia has elections coming, and what can we do to help them? They have asked for similar help to fight the malign influence, like we granted to Moldova,” Kallas said.
While the “malign influence” wasn’t specified in her statement, Marta Kos, the European Commissioner for Enlargement, told the Parliament Magazine in an interview that Russian interference in the election was “already happening”.
From May 4 to 5, the bloc will host its first-ever EU-Armenia summit, where Pashinyan will represent Armenia alongside von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, the president of the European Council.
‘Stealing the election’
However, this potential ideological push and pull between Moscow and the West, including Brussels and the United States, is causing alarm to some observers, notably the International Observatory for Democracy in Armenia (IODA).
The organisation was established to monitor the democratic conditions ahead of the elections in June, and is made up of international human rights and democracy experts.
“We can see from the statements of both the West and Russia that they are trying to make their own choice, and this is not acceptable,” Philippe Kalfayan, an executive board member of the IODA, said.
“They are stealing the election from the Armenian citizens, and they are putting a lot of money on the table for that.”
One example of this, according to Kalfayan, is the above-mentioned EU-Armenia summit, which he said can signify to the public that the bloc supports Pashinyan, as it comes just a couple of weeks ahead of the election.
Politicians are also “weaponising” claims that certain parties and political actors are associated with Russia, Sarah Leah Whitson, a human-rights lawyer and member of IODA, said.
“The government is drumming up anxieties about Russian influence or what might happen from Russia – because they know that will encourage further support, financial or otherwise, from the EU and the US.”
And according to Kalfayan, “the current government has a very good relationship with Russia. Of course, (Moscow) would prefer somebody else less aggressive toward them.”
“But in the end, any Armenian government from whatever political party is obliged to have a good relationship with Russia.”
https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20260419-stealing-election-how-armenia-became-next-russia-eu-battlefield
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