What Will Pashinyan and Putin Discuss in Difficult Conditions: Kommersant

On April 1, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will make his first visit to Russia in 2026. The Russian-Armenian dialogue will take place under challenging circumstances, considering Yerevan's reluctance to accept Moscow's participation in the US-Armenia 'Trump Route' project, as well as the existing conflict between the Armenian authorities and the Armenian Apostolic Church, which has led to the persecution of clergy. This is reported by Kommersant.

According to the publication, relations with Russia will be a key issue during the election campaign ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled in Armenia for June 7. 'This compels Nikol Pashinyan to strengthen ties with Moscow to refute accusations of anti-Russian policies. Earlier, in February, during an interview with Armenian public television, Nikol Pashinyan stated that Yerevan would not act against Moscow. 'That is out of the question. No one can, even if they try, although such attempts have not taken place, drag us into actions against Russia,' he stated,' Kommersant reported.

It is noted that Armenia has effectively suspended its membership in the CSTO and has not abandoned the idea of combining its membership in the Eurasian Economic Union with plans to join the European Union, while continuing to demonstrate rapprochement with France and other European states hostile to Russia. 'Moreover, as the parliamentary elections on June 7 approach, there are pressures and persecutions against opposition supporters of restoring allied relations with Russia within Armenia,' the news outlet commented, referring to the incident at St. Anna Church in Yerevan and the arrest of businessman Samvel Karapetyan.