Pashinyan Dismisses Russia’s ‘Second Ukraine’ Warning, Says Armenia Can Strengthen Ties With the West Without Cutting Relations With Moscow

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has rejected Russia’s warning that Armenia risks becoming a “second Ukraine” as it moves closer to the European Union, saying he remains confident the country can strengthen ties with the West without cutting relations with Moscow.

Speaking in an interview with RFI’s Armenian-language service published Monday, October 12, Pashinyan dismissed concerns raised by senior Russian officials about Armenia’s changing foreign policy.

“I don’t think so,” he said when asked whether Armenia could face Ukraine’s fate. Pressed on whether he was certain, Pashinyan replied, “Yes, I believe that, and I am convinced.”

The remarks came days after Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, warned that Armenia’s efforts to change its foreign policy direction could have serious consequences.

“The worst thing that could happen to Armenia is its transformation into a new Ukraine,” Medvedev said in an interview with Iranian state television, according to Russia’s RBC news agency on October 4.

Medvedev accused Western countries of trying to weaken Armenia’s relationship with Russia and criticized the Armenian government’s decision to pursue closer ties with Europe.

Pashinyan refused to be drawn into a personal dispute over the warning.

“My job is not to be upset or not upset. My job is to address the issues facing the Republic of Armenia, and that is what I am doing,” he said.

The prime minister insisted that improving relations with the European Union does not mean Armenia intends to turn its back on Russia.

“Severing or worsening our relations with Russia has never been, is not and will never be among our goals,” he said. “On the contrary, we want to develop our relations with Russia.”

Still, Pashinyan acknowledged that relations between the two countries cannot remain as they were in the past, pointing to changes in the South Caucasus, particularly Armenia’s peace process with Azerbaijan.

“Previously there was conflict with Azerbaijan, and now there is peace,” he said.

Armenia and Azerbaijan initialed a peace agreement during a White House summit in August 2025, but the treaty has not yet been formally signed. Pashinyan maintains that peace has already been established despite the absence of a signed agreement.

Beyond security and diplomacy, Pashinyan said Armenia must reduce its economic dependence on a limited number of countries.

“Independence means replacing dependence on a few with dependence on many,” he said.

He pointed to Armenia’s fuel market, saying a growing number of importers has helped the country avoid supply disruptions affecting Russia amid the war in Ukraine.

The same approach, he said, should apply to Armenian producers seeking new markets for agricultural goods, beverages and other exports.

Pashinyan also confirmed that Armenia has not formally applied for EU membership, despite adopting legislation to begin the accession process. He said the country must carry out significant reforms before it can meet European standards.

He outlined three possible outcomes: Armenia could eventually join the EU, remain in the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union or become a member of neither. The decision, he said, should ultimately belong to Armenian citizens, while EU accession would also require the bloc’s approval.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously argued that Armenia’s pursuit of EU membership effectively amounts to a decision to leave the Eurasian Economic Union.

Pashinyan said his government would continue reforms aimed at meeting European standards even if Armenia never becomes an EU member, arguing that those changes would benefit the country regardless of the outcome.

—

Support independent reporting from the region by subscribing to The Armenian Report. Our team is funded solely by readers like you.