Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan did not accept a paragraph addressing the situation in Ukraine during the second Democracy Summit. This stance was noted in an official government message, which outlined the outcomes of the plenary session and the decisions reached by Armenia within the declaration that was adopted. The document specifies that Armenia joined the declaration with clear reservations, signaling a measured approach to the wording and the emphasis of the overall text.
The government communication clarifies that Armenia did not incorporate the paragraph that explicitly linked global support for people and nations to a commitment to the core values of freedom and democracy. Officials described this particular paragraph as not offering a comprehensive or balanced view of all ongoing conflicts and crises. In effect, Armenia chose to omit that segment of the declaration while still affirming its participation in the broader consensus reached at the meeting.
Earlier remarks by Prime Minister Pashinyan during the Democracy Summit touched on the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, characterizing actions in the region as an attempt at ethnic cleansing. He stated that the Azerbaijani authorities have pursued policies that would alter the demographic and political landscape of Nagorno-Karabakh, a claim reflecting longstanding concerns about the stability and humanitarian impact of the dispute. The premier also offered thanks to the United States for its stated role in containing the situation and for contributing to the halt of further military movements in the territory in September 2022. These comments were framed within a broader narrative about regional security, sovereignty, and Armenia’s ties with its international partners.
From an Armenian perspective, the summit served as a platform to discuss the country’s commitments to democratic principles while navigating the complexities of regional diplomacy. The government’s description of the adopted declaration suggests a careful balance between endorsing global norms and preserving national perspectives on conflicts that directly affect Armenian interests. The decision to reserve certain language in the declaration reflects a preference for language that Armenia deems more precise and representative of the country’s policy priorities. Observers note that such selective acceptance of the declaration’s provisions is not uncommon in multilateral forums, where participating states often seek to reconcile universal ideals with national experiences and security considerations.
Analysts emphasize that the situation illustrates a broader pattern in which governments engage with high-level forums while asserting lines that reflect domestic concerns. In Armenia’s case, the focus appears to be on ensuring that international declarations do not overstate commitments or implicitly commit the country to positions that could complicate regional relations or domestic governance. The discussions at the summit, alongside the preserved reservations, highlight the careful choreography that states perform when they join international statements that aim to project unity on democratic values while recognizing diverse national contexts. The overall arc of the proceedings suggests an approach that values dialogue, cautious engagement with global norms, and a readiness to express dissent when necessary to protect national interests.