Armenian Prime Minister Reportedly Instructs State Agencies to Rebuild Relations With Moscow

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan directed all state agencies to restore contacts with their Russian counterparts and actively participate in joint events in response to recent geopolitical changes, the Yerevan-based newspaper Hraparak reported on March 20.

The ruling Civil Contract party is awaiting Pashinyan’s anticipated visit to Moscow for the May 9 celebrations, with party officials hoping the meeting with Russia’s leadership will clarify the future direction of Armenia’s government.

Hraparak noted that the move comes as Russia seeks to strengthen its influence in the region. Despite Pashinyan’s efforts to repair strained ties, Moscow has so far responded cautiously, signaling it expects concrete steps rather than political gestures.

An example of this measured response was the postponement of Russian Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko’s visit to Yerevan, originally scheduled for February and delayed until June.

The delay is seen as a sign of Moscow’s hesitance to fully embrace Armenia’s overtures without further proof of commitment, according to Hraparak.

Reports also suggest that Russia’s conditions for renewed cooperation may include Armenia shelving its planned referendum on European integration. The recent delay of the bill’s second reading, along with speculation over its possible cancellation, points to Russia leveraging the issue to test the sincerity of Armenia’s foreign policy shift, according to News.AZ.