ARMENIA REMOVES RUSSIA FROM ITS LIST OF STRATEGIC ALLIES
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has confirmed that Russia is no longer described as a strategic ally in Armenia’s government program for 2026–2031—a historic downgrade in relations between two countries once considered inseparable security partners.
Pashinyan pointed directly to September 2022, when Armenia expected Russia and the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization to fulfill their defense obligations during fighting with Azerbaijan.
“If I had written that, you would have asked why Russia and the CSTO did not fulfill their contractual obligations in 2022. What would I say in response?” he said.
Armenia has already frozen its participation in the CSTO, reduced its security dependence upon Moscow and expanded relations with the United States and European Union. Russian troops remain in Armenia, and significant economic ties still exist, so this is not yet a complete diplomatic or legal separation.
But the political meaning is unmistakable. Armenia depended upon Russia for protection for decades. When that protection was tested, Moscow failed—and Yerevan began looking elsewhere.
Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine claiming that Russia was defending its influence across the former Soviet world. Instead, the war has consumed Russian power, destroyed confidence in its security guarantees and accelerated the departure of one of Moscow’s oldest allies.
Russia demanded loyalty from Armenia. When Armenia needed an ally, Russia was not there.