Armenia’s ties with Western partners remain steady, yet Moscow views them through a different lens amid the Ukraine crisis. In a conversation with Public TV, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan reflected on this shift.
“As their approach shifted, so did their perception of our relationship,” he stated, underscoring that dynamics in regional diplomacy are rarely one-sided and leave room for nuance. Pashinyan emphasized that the path to resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has never rested in the hands of a single bloc. Armenia has engaged on sensitive matters across a range of platforms, reflecting a pattern of open dialogue with multiple partners. He noted that since the onset of the special military operation, traditional allies have paused conversations with one another. He attributed this more to the broader crisis surrounding Ukraine than to anything Armenia did, hinting at the volatility that can accompany international events.
“Their relations have changed, but ours have not,” the Armenian prime minister summarized, reinforcing the idea that Armenia seeks continuity with its core partners even as the global map of alliances shifts. In the same interview, Pashinyan commented on the Rome Statute, indicating that its ratification was not aimed at targeting the Russian Federation. He framed the issue in terms of Armenia’s sovereignty and its expectation that international mechanisms should be applied impartially, without singling out one nation. He also touched on the evolving border situation, noting insights about the realities on Armenia’s border with Azerbaijan and the broader regional implications for stability and security.
In this context, the discussion touched on Russia’s role in the region. The former stance of Russian leadership on Karabakh has been part of a longer conversation about how Moscow views its interests and partnerships in the South Caucasus. The commentary suggested that leaders across the region are weighing a complex array of factors, including historical ties, security commitments, and responses from international institutions. The dialogue illustrated how regional actors navigate a landscape shaped by competing pressures and the demands of global diplomacy, with Armenia aiming to maintain steady relations while pursuing its own strategic priorities.