The Armenian Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan stated that taking part in US-led military exercises can support the reform process underway within the Armenian armed forces. These reports come from Civil Network on the topic. He explained that participation in such trainings provides important insights for the Armenian side, noting that substantial reforms have already begun in the Armenian army in response to the conflict with Azerbaijan following the 44-day war in Karabakh in 2020.
Grigoryan emphasized that the ongoing war in Ukraine is also a factor in shaping reform efforts. He argued that involvement in these exercises offers opportunities to acquire new knowledge and skills that will contribute to advancing the Armenian reform program. The remarks suggest that such exercises serve not only practical training purposes but also broader strategic aims tied to regional security dynamics.
Reflecting on past experiences, Grigoryan acknowledged that some previous training efforts did not yield the expected outcomes. He suggested that participation in international exercises carries a wider political context and involves multiple layers of considerations. This perspective points to the complexity of military reform, where practice alone does not always translate into lasting improvements, and where geopolitical factors play a significant role in decision making.
Former Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova noted that Russia sought clarification regarding Armenia’s participation in NATO exercises in Europe. This development adds another dimension to the ongoing dialogue about security cooperation and regional alignments, underscoring how security partnerships can intersect with national reform agendas and external perceptions of posture in the region.