Kortunov: Russia’s proposals to Armenia will be key to future bilateral relations

Armenian-Russian relations are in the process of transitioning to a new model, former Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council Andrey Kortunov told Armenpress, adding that it is still too early to say what form this model will take.

However, he added, it is clear that a page has been turned in bilateral relations, and the sides are trying to start a new chapter in those relations.

Kortunov is among the participants of the 2026 APRI Forum in Yerevan.

“The process is difficult and painful for both Yerevan and Moscow. Of course, we want to hope that the process will not lead to a disruption of the traditional good-neighborly relations not only between the two countries, but also between the two societies. Russian President Vladimir Putin has already hinted at a civilized divorce. Armenia is now changing its strategic priorities and opening up to other countries and regions, choosing the European perspective. This undoubtedly creates problems in relations between Moscow and Yerevan, as well as in Armenia’s interaction with the structures of which Armenia is still a member,” Kortunov said.

In his view, something will most likely need to change here, and the relationship will need to be transformed in some way, because, according to the expert, the relationship is becoming more pragmatic, focused on business and economic ties. At the same time, the fact that there are people in Armenia with pro-Russian sentiments and that Russia has a fairly large and influential Armenian diaspora gives grounds to say that Armenia is perceived in Russia as a country with historical, cultural and religious commonalities.

“Certainly, one can talk at length about the factors that bring the two countries and peoples closer together and hope that all this will be preserved to some extent and influence the development of future relations. Political strategies and priorities can change. Around two decades ago, our partners in Tbilisi spoke about Georgia’s European perspective, whereas today something has changed in their outlook. Perhaps certain expectations have not been met, but that does not mean that Georgia is abandoning its European path. It is simply that the aforementioned perspective is no longer perceived in the same way as it was 20 years ago. Perhaps changes will also take place in Armenia that will allow Armenian society to assess European integration more realistically, especially since this process will most likely be quite lengthy,” Kortunov elaborated.

He said he believes that, on the other hand, Russia will remain a partner and, if circumstances develop favorably, also a strategic partner. According to the expert, much will depend on what Russia, in turn, offers Armenia in the next stage of cooperation, how much the scope of economic interaction expands, how small and medium-sized businesses become involved in this process, and what kind of cooperation there will be in IT and other sectors.

Speaking about the TRIPP project, Kortunov noted that, as history has shown, many ideas put forward by US President Donald Trump’s administration, which may be quite good and forward-looking, are not fully implemented in the form of concrete projects.

“We still do not know much about TRIPP; we do not know how it will develop and be implemented. Yes, agreements have been signed, but many details still need to be clarified. We hope that these changing transport and logistics infrastructures in the South Caucasus will take into account the interests of all three South Caucasus states, as well as those of their immediate neighbors—Russia, Iran and Türkiye. It may not be easy to reconcile the interests of all sides, but nevertheless, that is what we should strive for,” Kortunov concluded.