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Pashinyan’s Party Promises New Catholicos by 2031, Puts Church Leadership at Center of Election Agenda
Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract party has made a major and controversial promise to voters ahead of upcoming elections, saying that by 2031 the country will have a new Catholicos. The pledge is included in the party’s pre-election program, placing the leadership of the Armenian Apostolic Church alongside major state development projects as part of its political agenda. The program outlines several national goals, including the TRIPP project, the creation of an academic city,
The Armenian Report Team
7 days ago
Russia Cracks Down on Armenian Imports After Putin Warns Pashinyan as Tensions Rise
Russia is tightening its control over agricultural products and flowers coming from Armenia, a decision that could affect trade between the two countries. The decision comes after recent high-level meetings in Moscow and amid rising political tensions between the Armenian and Russian governments. Russia’s state agricultural watchdog, Rosselkhoznadzor, announced stricter controls on products entering the Russian market from Armenia. The agency oversees food safety and veterina
Pashinyan Accuses Artsakh Forces of “Fleeing,” Former Artsakh President Fires Back
Tensions have risen between Former President of Artsakh Samvel Shahramanyan and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan following recent statements about the events surrounding the fall of Artsakh. Shahramanyan strongly criticized comments made by the Armenian prime minister, who suggested that claims by the former leadership of Artsakh about resistance during wartime were exaggerated or false. Shahramanyan described these remarks as harmful and said they are meant to create division
Putin Presses Pashinyan to Allow Jailed Russian-Armenian Billionaire Ally to Join Armenia Elections
Russian President Vladimir Putin pressed Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to allow broader political participation in Armenia’s upcoming elections, signaling support for detained Russian-Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, whose dual citizenship currently bars him from running under Armenian law. The exchange took place during Pashinyan’s working visit to Moscow, where the two leaders discussed a range of sensitive issues, including Armenia’s parliamentary election
Independence Movement Film Banned as Pashinyan Government Moves to Rewrite Constitution
A film about Armenia’s independence movement has been banned from airing on television, as the country debates changes to its Constitution that could remove references to the Declaration of Independence. The timing of the decision has raised concerns about whether historical narratives tied to Armenia’s path to statehood are being restricted during a sensitive political moment. A court in Armenia has ruled that the film “Our Path to Independence,” created by Tigran Paskevichy
The Armenian Report Team
Mar 31
Man Attempts to Strike Pashinyan During Palm Sunday Service at Saint Anna Church in Yerevan
An incident unfolded on March 29 at Saint Anna Church during a Palm Sunday service attended by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and members of his team - which shows the growing tension inside Armenia, even in places of worship. According to available information, the situation began while Pashinyan was inside the church. A young man in the crowd tried to move closer, shouting, “I want to stand in the middle,” as he pushed forward. Security personnel quickly stepped in, stoppin
The Armenian Report Team
Mar 29
Pashinyan to Parade New Weapons Days Before Vote; Opposition Calls It Political Theater
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has announced that newly acquired military equipment will be presented to the public during a large event in Yerevan later this spring, describing it as an “accountability event rather than a military parade.” Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Pashinyan said the event will take place on May 28 in Republic Square, the central location traditionally used for major state ceremonies. The date coincides with Republic Day, one of Arme
The Armenian Report Team
Mar 27
Pashinyan Tells Daughter of Fallen Artsakh Hero She “Escaped” — Later Issues Apology After Metro Confrontation
A public confrontation between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and a woman forcibly displaced from her indigenous home in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) escalated into a heated argument in the Yerevan metro, exposing the deep pain and unresolved tensions surrounding the fate of Artsakh Armenians. The incident took place during an informal interaction with citizens, within the framework of an undeclared campaign by the ruling Civil Contract party. In recent weeks, Pashinya
The Armenian Report Team
Mar 23
Catholicos Karekin II Removes Archbishop Abraham Mkrtchyan as Primate of Vayots Dzor After Joining Pashinyan’s Anti-Church Campaign
By the directive of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, Abraham Mkrtchyan has been relieved of his duties as Primate of the Vayots Dzor Diocese. The decision was announced by the press service of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. According to the official statement, the decision was made through a Pontifical directive issued by the Catholicos on March 16, 2026. “By a Pontifical directive dated March 16, 2026, His Holiness Karekin II,
The Armenian Report Team
Mar 16
Pashinyan Orders Genocide Museum Director to Resign Over Action “Contradicting” Government Policy on Artsakh
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has confirmed that he personally instructed Edita Gzoyan, the director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, to submit a resignation letter after an incident that he said contradicted the government’s foreign policy. The prime minister made the statement during a government briefing on March 12. His remarks came a day after it became publicly known that Gzoyan had written a resignation letter. Despite the announcement, no official
The Armenian Report Team
Mar 12
Pashinyan Accuses Church and Opposition of Pushing Armenia Toward New War in Speech to European Parliament
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan accused the Armenian Apostolic Church and several opposition figures of trying to reignite Armenia’s conflict with Azerbaijan during a speech at the European Parliament on Wednesday. Speaking in Strasbourg, Pashinyan defended his government’s actions against senior church leaders and rejected accusations that the crackdown is politically motivated. In recent months, Armenian authorities have arrested three archbishops and one bishop who
The Armenian Report Team
Mar 11
Armenian Woman Arrested Over Private Message Critical of Pashinyan, Raising Alarm Over Free Speech Crackdown
A 55-year-old woman from the town of Akhurian in northwestern Armenia has been arrested and charged over a private online message that authorities say contained offensive language and a call for violence against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his family. According to her lawyer, Artak Movsisyan, the woman was taken into custody late last week. She has been formally charged with hooliganism and making a public call for violence. The charges were brought after a screenshot
The Armenian Report Team
Feb 24
U.S. to Transfer Intelligence Drones to Armenia as Vance Endorses Pashinyan and Signs New Energy, Tech Agreements
The United States plans to transfer intelligence drones to Armenia, strengthening the two countries’ military, economic, and technological cooperation. The announcement was made by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance during a joint press conference with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Yerevan. During the press conference, Vice President Vance also stated that he endorses Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Armenia’s upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for June 7, p
Armenian Parliamentary Elections Officially Scheduled for June 7: Keep or Remove Pashinyan
President Vahagn Khachaturyan has signed a decree officially setting Armenia’s next regular National Assembly elections for June 7. This is the formal start of the election timeline and confirms earlier public statements by government officials about when the vote would take place. The decree was published on the President’s official website and will take legal effect the day after its publication. With this step, the country has entered the final months before voters choose
Pashinyan Says Peace Is the Greatest Respect for the Victims as He Accepts Award With Aliyev
During the 2026 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity ceremony in Abu Dhabi on February 4, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev spoke about the current state of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, saying: “Armenia and Azerbaijan were in a state of war for more than thirty years. Now we have been living in peace for six months. We are learning how to live in peaceful conditions. I can say that this is a special feeling. We are now increasing our trade turnover with Armenia.” Al
Armenia PM’s Office Denies Claims Pashinyan Approved LGBT Parade in Yerevan
Armenia’s prime minister’s office has rejected claims spreading online that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan approved an LGBT community parade in Yerevan on April 7. The statement was made by Prime Minister’s Spokesperson Nazeli Baghdasaryan, who said that the reports circulating in the media and on social networks were false. According to the spokesperson, the material being shared does not match reality and shows signs linked to what officials describe as foreign information
Pashinyan Justifies Thanking Aliyev Despite Public Anger Over Artsakh
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday that he sees no problem with expressing gratitude to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for certain decisions that, in his view, have brought practical benefits to Armenia. He made the remarks during a press briefing while responding to questions from Ani Gevorgyan about a controversial statement by Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan, who had earlier thanked Aliyev despite strong public criticism over Baku’s actions
The Armenian Report Team
Jan 29
Pashinyan Says Armenia Is Not Preparing for War, as Peace Is His Government’s Primary Security Guarantee
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan used Armenia’s Army Day to speak on recent military reforms, explain changes in the country’s security policy, and insist that his government is focused on peace rather than preparing for another war. The message was delivered on the 34th anniversary of the creation of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia. In it, Pashinyan described the army’s difficult early years and said that major efforts in recent times had begun to reshape the insti
The Armenian Report Team
Jan 28
Trump Invites Armenia to Join Board of Peace, Pashinyan Accepts
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has accepted an invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump to join the newly proposed Board of Peace, making Armenia a founding member in the U.S.-led intergovernmental body. The Board of Peace was introduced by Trump as an initiative aimed at promoting stability, restoring lawful and dependable governance, and securing long-term peace in regions affected by conflict or at risk of future violence. Trump extended the invitation in his r
The Armenian Report Team
Jan 20
Armenian PM Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Aliyev Receive Zayed Award for Peace Agreement
The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity has announced the winners of its 2026 edition, recognizing the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan and Afghan girls’ education advocate Zarqa Yaftali. This is the first time that honorees have come from the Caucasus region and Afghanistan — a milestone for the international award. The peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan is being recognized for its role in ending decades of conflict and humanitarian suffering. For many
The Armenian Report Team
Jan 19
