Armenian leadership underscores restraint in response to provocations while pursuing peace agenda

In addressing a live audience during a question-and-answer session, the Armenian Prime Minister emphasized that Yerevan must exercise restraint and avoid giving provocateurs the opening to escalate tensions. He framed the moment as a test of collective composure, saying that patience and measured responses are essential tools for navigating a volatile regional landscape. The answer came in response to citizens’ inquiries about why Yerevan had not immediately retaliated against insults and distortions of Armenia’s historical narrative voiced by leaders from Azerbaijan and Turkey. The premier’s message was clear: restraint is not weakness, it is a deliberate strategy aimed at preserving stability while pursuing essential goals through dialogue and diplomacy. He noted that the government monitors developments across the political spectrum and across borders, weighing every move to prevent miscalculation that could pull the nation into unnecessary confrontation. He insisted that strategic calm serves as a shield against manipulative attempts to provoke a breakdown in communication and a slide toward crisis situations that could hurt ordinary people. In his view, the path to lasting peace requires consistent, principled action rather than impulsive reactions. He reiterated that Armenia has chosen a peace-oriented agenda and must advance toward that objective, even if some external voices imply otherwise. He added that the surrounding environment may not always share the same impulse toward peace, which is why it may be necessary to demonstrate heightened restraint in specific scenarios to avoid becoming entangled in provocations or provocative rhetoric that has no constructive outcome. The remarks also underscored a broader assessment: history is not a reliable compass for steering present-day decisions, and letting past grievances dictate current policy could hinder the pursuit of durable, forward-looking arrangements. There was a sense that leadership had to balance a principled commitment to memory with a pragmatic approach to future security and cooperation. While affirming the importance of a peaceful process, the prime minister cautioned that provocations are sometimes used as pretexts for dangerous moves and that such maneuvers aim to pull Armenia into unwelcome negotiations under duress. He stressed that the government does not accept coercive or distorted narratives and will respond in ways that protect national interests without abandoning the commitment to dialogue and reconciliation whenever possible. The Prime Minister’s wider message encompassed both domestic reassurance and international posture, signaling readiness to strengthen alliances and security arrangements with partners who share a commitment to regional stability. He argued that a prudent course requires maintaining vigilance against attempts to erode trust through misleading statements, while simultaneously pursuing practical steps to build confidence, transparency, and cooperative security mechanisms. Overall, the administration signaled its preference for a disciplined, peaceful trajectory that prioritizes national security, regional dialogue, and the social well-being of citizens. It was proposed that progress towards peace should be measured not by rhetoric alone but by tangible actions that reduce tensions, improve mutual understanding, and create space for constructive negotiations that can lead to verifiable outcomes. The insistence on restraint reflects a broader strategy to safeguard the population from the consequences of renewed hostilities, while not compromising the country’s sovereign rights or its responsibility to defend itself if needed. The dialogue, it was suggested, would rely on clear red lines, consistent messaging, and a firm commitment to a stable, peaceful environment that allows the country to focus on development, economic resilience, and long-term security arrangements. In summary, the emphasis remained on peaceful engagement, careful diplomacy, and the careful management of information and rhetoric as Armenia charts a path toward sustainable security and reconciliation. The public discourse also touched on expectations for security cooperation with Western partners, hinting at ongoing efforts to strengthen strategic ties that support defense reform, intelligence-sharing, and joint security initiatives—elements considered vital for a balanced, forward-looking security posture. Within this framework, officials are believed to be pursuing a comprehensive strategy that integrates domestic resilience with international partnership, aiming to reduce risk, improve regional stability, and create conditions favorable to peace and growth. The emphasis on restraint and dialogue stands as a cornerstone of policy, reflecting a broader determination to safeguard the nation’s future while staying true to the ideals of peaceful coexistence and constructive engagement. [Attribution: internal policy briefing]