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In a televised address on Tuesday, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan categorically denied allegations that Armenia stands in solidarity with Russia on the Ukraine issue, emphasizing his government’s commitment to maintaining diplomatic relations with both nations.
Pashinyan’s remarks, made during a live broadcast from New York, where he is attending the United Nations’ 77th General Assembly, have triggered a new wave of interest in Yerevan’s stance on the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
“We are not Russia’s allies on the issue of Ukraine,” Pashinyan declared, while addressing reporters at a press conference at the United Nations Headquarters. “This narrative is entirely misplaced and a gross distortion of Armenia’s position.”
Armenia’s Prime Minister attributed the emergence of these allegations to the ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, which has pitted Armenia against Azerbaijan in recent months. Pashinyan stressed that Armenia, an independent nation with a strategic partnership agreement with Russia, is eager to maintain a balanced foreign policy that ensures the country’s stability and security.
In his address, Pashinyan also touched upon the issue of international sanctions imposed on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine. While noting that Armenia has condemned the violence and destruction caused by the conflict, the Prime Minister emphasized that his government has carefully considered the implications of imposing sanctions on Russia, which is Armenia’s major ally in terms of military cooperation.
The recent escalation of tensions in the Caucasus region, including the Armenia-Azerbaijan border clashes, have left many analysts wondering about Yerevan’s true intentions regarding its ties with Russia. In the absence of concrete details, Pashinyan’s comments have generated a mixed assessment among diplomats and regional experts.
“It is clear that Armenia aims to walk a fine line and avoid antagonizing Russia at a time when Azerbaijan is increasingly aligned with the West,” noted Vahagn Chalabyan, a local expert on international relations at the University of Yerevan.
As Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to hold talks in the coming weeks, observers will continue to monitor the developments in the region. Armenia’s stance on the Ukraine crisis and its implications for Armenia’s relations with Russia will undoubtedly play a crucial role in determining the trajectory of the conflict.
“We are committed to maintaining our sovereignty and independence in this highly complex regional environment,” Pashinyan reaffirmed, in what may be seen as a calculated move to reassure not only Armenia’s domestic audience but also the international community that Yerevan will not become embroiled in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.