Zatulyn Calls Pashinyan's Plans for a Fourth Republic Betrayal

Konstantin Zatulyn, First Deputy Chairman of the Committee on CIS Affairs and Relations with Compatriots of the State Duma, spoke with RTVI about Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's announcements regarding the creation of a Fourth Republic, particularly if he extends his term of office until 2026.

Zatulyn stated that Pashinyan is "looking for a beautiful cover" for his "failed" internal and foreign policy actions. In reality, his statement is "nothing more than an attempt to push for constitutional changes, against which, according to polls, the overwhelming majority of the Armenian population is opposed."

Zatulyn also linked Pashinyan’s statements about the Fourth Republic to the following programs: “The entry of Americans into this sensitive area - to exploit this future corridor - means their approach on this side toward Iran, against which cards are being played not only by the Americans but also by the Israelis.”

Relations with Iran have helped Armenia "defend its independence," but by complying with the demands for the corridor, Yerevan is effectively distancing itself from cooperation with the Islamic Republic, creating "an additional threat for Iran," Zatulyn explained.

He added that during discussions on a peace agreement, Azerbaijan had made no commitments regarding the opening of trade corridors and communications with Russia.

According to the deputy, Pashinyan's actions aim to "abandon the former foundations of national ideology, turn away from respect for the history of genocide, and the international recognition of the genocide of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire," while in the long term, abandoning the alliance with Russia and exiting its influence.

Zatulyn recalled that Armenia has adopted a law to start the process of joining the European Union, "despite the fact that the EU is not waiting for Armenia." The law was adopted "precisely to reshape the consciousness of Armenians and make them forget the need to develop relations with Russia, participate in the EAEU, CSTO, and others," the Russian parliamentarian believes.

He added that the summit of the European Political Community will be held in the republic in May 2026, where participants intend to "show their support for Pashinyan and reward Armenians with some visa-free travel" ahead of the parliamentary elections in Armenia. However, "according to all data, Pashinyan is losing, but he must win for the EU and the West," he noted.

Zatulyn also reminded about the Armenian government's clash with the Armenian Apostolic Church, which "maintained the identity of the Armenians and protected the Armenian people from assimilation in the absence of statehood for 100 years."

Pashinyan’s actions are "effectively paving the way" for this assimilation and "trying to convince Armenians that despite the confusion in their minds, the West will certainly come to Armenia's aid if necessary, but, most importantly, that there will be no need for it, as everyone will live in peace," remarked the First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma's Committee on CIS Affairs.

“This is what is happening. If all this betrayal, taken together, is called the construction of a Fourth Republic, then I can say that I do not know of any examples where statehood has been additionally stimulated somewhere on the grounds of lies, hypocrisy, and betrayal,” Zatulyn concluded.