Armenia faces Russian pressure as Moscow imposes sanctions

Russia has imposed sanctions on Armenian fruit and fish products, a move that follows a phone conversation between President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Details of the call remain scarce, but reports indicate it touched upon Armenia's increasing engagement with the European Union, a direction that has drawn criticism from Moscow.

Stepan Grigorian, a former Armenian envoy to Russia, described the call as "principled," suggesting it centered on Armenia's geopolitical alignment. He noted that Dmitry Peskov, Putin's press secretary, later framed the discussion as being about Armenia's status within the Eurasian Economic Union versus its potential move towards the EU.

Grigorian believes Russia is using trade and energy as leverage to deter Armenia from strengthening its ties with Europe and pursuing democratic development. The sanctions on agricultural products, which are significant exports for Armenia, are seen as a direct consequence of Pashinyan's government resisting Russian pressure to hold a referendum on EU accession.

Looking ahead, Grigorian predicts that Russia may intensify its actions, potentially including hybrid warfare tactics, especially after Armenia's upcoming parliamentary elections. He anticipates that pro-Russian opposition forces, if they lose the election, might initiate destabilization efforts, claiming the results are rigged and organizing protests, with Russia offering overt support, similar to what he claims occurred in Moldova.