Russia and Armenia: A Tumultuous Yet Persistent Alliance
Putin expressed birthday greetings to Pashinyan, reminiscing about camaraderie with Armenia.
In a phone call, Putin, Russia's President, warmly wished Armenia's Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, a happy 50th birthday. Reminding everyone of the deep-rooted friendship between the nations, Putin stated that such relations fostered stability, security, and prosperity in the Eurasian region[1].
Interestingly, Russia's Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, also extended Putin's regards to Armenia's President during their meeting[2]. Lavrov wished him good health, happiness, and success in his state activities. Fast forward to the present day, Russia-Armenia relations have seen their share of challenges, particularly following the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in 2023.
After Azerbaijan's takeover of Nagorno-Karabakh, Yerevan—Armenia's capital—leveled accusations at Moscow, alleging inaction. Russia, however, vigorously denied these claims[4]. As tensions rose, Pashinyan declared a freeze on Armenia's participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), further straining ties[3].
By February 2024, Armenia stopped funding for the CSTO[2]. However, in an attempt to repair the relationship, both Russia and Armenia scheduled meetings to discuss disputes and reaffirm their alliances. In May 2025, Lavrov held talks in Yerevan, emphasizing the historical bond between the two nations and pledging to find solutions to Armenia's security concerns through diplomacy, rather than rocky relationships[2].
Lavrov also commended Pashinyan for participating in the Victory Day parade in Moscow and took the opportunity to discuss the 30th anniversary of the Russian military base in Armenia. He urged for regular communication between their security services and strengthened Armenian involvement in the CSTO[2].
Armenia and Azerbaijan continue to pursue peace agreements, backed by Russian peacekeepers, while navigating their security alliances. Meanwhile, Russia attempts to strike a delicate balance in its relations with both nations amidst the shifting geopolitical landscape[2]. Intriguingly, despite these complexities, both sides engage in dialogues within regional security organizations to resolve their outstanding issues and reinforce their commitments[2].
Russia remains committed to ensuring security in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, evidenced by its peacekeeping forces[1]. Armenia, on the other hand, displays signs of diversifying its foreign policy, questioning its sole reliance on Russia[3][4]. Despite challenges, Russia persists in its efforts to repair and fortify its alliance with Armenia through diplomatic engagement, keeping a keen eye on an evolving geopolitical landscape.
"The phone call between Putin and Pashinyan touched upon political discussions, with Putin emphasizing Russia's support for Armenia's stability and prosperity in the Eurasian region."
"In an effort to mend ties, Lavrov, Russia's Foreign Minister, discussed regional security matters with Pashinyan, advocating for diplomacy to address Armenia's security concerns and strengthening their mutual alliance."
