Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s recent comments regarding the potential arrest of Russian President Vladimir Putin have raised suspicions about his political tactics and allegiances. In an interview with Britain’s Telegraph newspaper, Pashinyan was probed about Armenia’s decision to join the International Criminal Court, which has issued an arrest warrant for Putin.
Pashinyan’s response, marked by evasion and ambiguity, suggests that Armenia’s membership in the ICC may have been more of a symbolic gesture than a genuine commitment to accountability. He stated, “Armenia has undergone extensive democratic reforms, and I do not personally dictate decisions regarding arrests,” evading a direct answer to the pressing question.
The interview, conducted in Yerevan, hints at Pashinyan’s strategy of playing both sides in international relations, attempting to balance relations with the West while maintaining ties with Russia. His reluctance to address Putin’s potential arrest indicates a desire to avoid upsetting Moscow, despite Armenia’s ostensible move toward the West under Pashinyan.
