Armenian PM Vows Russia Visit Post-Election to Mend Ties

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has promised to travel to Russia following the upcoming June 7 legislative elections, aiming to de-escalate recent tensions between the two nations. Pashinyan revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin called him on June 1 to offer birthday wishes and that they agreed to meet after the elections to address outstanding matters.

The relationship between Armenia and Russia, historically close allies, has reached a new low in recent weeks. This strain appears to be a consequence of Armenia's increasing engagement with the European Union, highlighted by Yerevan hosting two European summits in May, one of which was attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Moscow has reportedly pressured Yerevan to choose between the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union and the EU.

Armenian authorities have downplayed the need for a referendum on the matter and sought to temper Moscow's increasingly assertive rhetoric. The government maintains that its foreign policy diversification efforts are not intended to harm relations with Russia, its primary trading partner. However, Russia has recently imposed restrictions on imports of various Armenian products, including mineral water, fruits, vegetables, and fish, measures that Yerevan has labeled as "political."

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The Russian president called me on June 1 to congratulate me on my birthday. But, of course, in addition to congratulations, we also talked about work. And we agreed that, after the elections, I would meet with him again to resolve all pending issues.