Pashinyan addresses Armenia-Russia relations amid Yerevan’s foreign policy diversification

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan highlighted Armenia’s foreign policy shift toward diversifying its strategic partnerships, arguing that Yerevan seeks balanced relations rather than exclusive ties with any single country.

Speaking at a press briefing, Prime Minister Pashinyan once again addressed relations between Armenia and Russia.

“The issue is the following: Armenia has decided to have alternatives. Until now, Armenia did not have alternatives or strategic relations, either in economic or political terms. Now Armenia has signed strategic relations documents with China, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France, and many other countries, and Russia sees a problem in this. Russia believes that either relations must be exclusive, or there should be no relations at all. We do not accept this approach. We say that relations are not exclusive, but relations must exist. This is a legitimate position,” Pashinyan stated.

Asked whether Armenia is ultimately a good partner or not, Prime Minister Pashinyan noted:

“What made Armenia a bad partner in 2022, that the CSTO failed to fulfill its functions? What had the Republic of Armenia done, and whom had it harmed? In what way was the Republic of Armenia at fault that the Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh failed to carry out their duties? Is the issue about October 6, 2022? But there were events before that.

Why is the assumption constantly being made that we are the bad partner? Or what had the Republic of Armenia done to anyone? Had it harmed Belarus in some way for the President of Belarus to declare that Armenia is not needed by anyone? The respected partner—the President of Belarus—searched and searched but could not find an answer to that question. How can one speak about a sovereign country in such a way?

Now we are demonstrating who needs the Republic of Armenia, and Armenia also needs those partner countries. I ask that our position be approached with understanding and respect, especially since its legitimacy in practice is not being questioned,” Pashinyan said.