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 elections, its geopolitical alignment, and ongoing tensions following the loss of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Putin emphasized the importance of including all political forces in Armenia’s domestic processes, pointing to the large Armenian population in Russia and suggesting that some figures are being excluded.

“Many Armenians live in Russia. We consider it to be more than 2 million people. And there are many political forces in Armenia that are pro-Russian,” Putin said. “We would very much like all those political forces and politicians to be able to participate in domestic political processes during the elections.”

Without naming Karapetyan directly, Putin noted that some individuals remain imprisoned “despite having Russian passports,” adding that while it is Armenia’s internal matter, Moscow would prefer to see them involved in the political process.

Karapetyan, a businessman linked to the “Strong Armenia” party, has been detained since June on charges that include alleged calls for the seizure of power and money laundering. He is currently under house arrest.

In response, Pashinyan firmly pointed to Armenia’s constitution, stating that only individuals who hold exclusively Armenian citizenship are eligible to run for parliament or serve as prime minister.

“I want to draw your attention to the fact that only people who exclusively hold Armenian citizenship can participate in those elections,” Pashinyan said. “With all due respect to those holding Russian passports, under the Constitution of Armenia they cannot be candidates either for parliament or for prime minister.”

He also rejected claims that political figures are being detained for their views, describing Armenia as a democratic country with open political space.

“And in general, to be honest, we do not have participants of political processes in places of detention,” he said.

Despite being barred from running, Karapetyan remains politically active through his party. His nephew, Narek Karapetyan, is expected to head the electoral list and coordinate a potential transition that could allow Karapetyan to assume leadership in the future.

“When a decision is needed, the citizens of Armenia will decide,” Pashinyan added.

Beyond domestic politics, the meeting highlighted Armenia’s increasingly complex position between Russia and the West.

Putin reiterated that Armenia cannot simultaneously integrate into both the Eurasian Economic Union and the European Union.

“Being in a customs union with the European Union and in the EAEU at the same time is not possible. It is simply impossible,” Putin said.

Pashinyan acknowledged the constraint but said Armenia will continue pursuing cooperation with both sides as long as possible, leaving any final decision to voters.

The aftermath of the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh — and the forced displacement of more than 100,000 Armenians — continues to shape Armenia’s domestic politics and foreign policy.

Relations between Yerevan and Moscow have been strained since 2022, when Armenia criticized the Collective Security Treaty Organization for failing to respond to Azerbaijani attacks on Armenian territory.

“We are currently not participating in CSTO activities for a simple reason — we are unable to explain to our citizens why the CSTO did not respond,” Pashinyan said.

Putin countered that Armenia’s recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan altered the situation, suggesting that intervention would not have been appropriate.

Pashinyan’s visit was accompanied by protests outside the Armenian Embassy in Moscow, where demonstrators — including clergy — called for non-interference in Armenia’s internal affairs.

In a separate incident, a man approached the Armenian leader and referenced the loss of Karabakh, reflecting continued public frustration and trauma tied to the conflict.

As Armenia approaches a pivotal election shaped by war, displacement, and shifting alliances, the exchange between Putin and Pashinyan shows the growing intersection of domestic politics and external influence.

The June 7 vote is expected to be a defining moment for Armenia’s political future — and for how it balances pressure from both Moscow and the West.

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