Russia expressed cautious concern on Tuesday over the impending signing of a U.S.-Armenian “strategic partnership” agreement, warning of potential strain on its longstanding relations with Armenia.
“It is the absolute sovereign right of our Armenian friends to develop relations in all directions,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. He emphasized Russia’s commitment to maintaining and strengthening its bilateral ties with Armenia. However, Peskov criticized the United States for its perceived destabilizing role in the South Caucasus, accusing it of attempting to draw more nations into its sphere of influence.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also weighed in, cautioning that agreements labeled as “strategic partnerships” with the West often carry hidden expectations. “It’s not about what is signed but what follows,” Lavrov said during a separate press conference in Moscow. He suggested that Armenia could face pressure from Washington to align itself against Russia, including joining Western sanctions imposed after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Despite these tensions, Armenian-Russian trade has flourished in recent years, driven by Armenia’s role in re-exporting goods affected by Western sanctions. This economic dynamic has been a major contributor to Armenia’s robust economic growth over the past three years.
Nonetheless, relations between the two allies have cooled, with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government accusing Russia of failing to fulfill its security commitments. Armenia froze its participation in the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) last year and recently announced plans to pursue European Union membership, drawing sharp criticism from Moscow.
Lavrov reiterated that EU accession would be “incompatible” with Armenia’s membership in the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), which grants tariff-free access to Russian markets. Despite these warnings, he stressed that dialogue with Armenia continues, revealing that Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has accepted an invitation to visit Moscow.
“I hope the visit will take place soon,” Lavrov remarked, leaving the door open for further discussions amid growing geopolitical tensions.
