Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service Releases “Kiss of Yerevan” Report Claiming Armenia Will Cut Trade Ties — Yerevan Denies Allegations

Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has released a report titled “The Kiss of Yerevan” alleging that Armenia intends to reduce or cut its trade ties with Moscow for political reasons. The document claims that Yerevan plans to stop buying wheat from Russia and instead purchase Ukrainian grain, despite its higher price.

According to the SVR statement, the report suggests that Armenia’s move is politically motivated and plans to show solidarity with Ukraine. It claims that “Yerevan is ready to loosen yet another thread linking it to Moscow” and that Armenian officials “wish to sever ties” with Russia for “political considerations.”

The Russian intelligence agency also says that Armenia has asked the European Union to help pay the additional cost of Ukrainian wheat, which it says is “more than twice as expensive.” The report describes the situation as a “matter of principle,” accusing Yerevan of prioritizing politics over economics.

The document further argues that European officials at France’s Foreign Ministry — located at the Quai d’Orsay — are struggling to balance financial and political interests. It states that the EU sees the situation as an opportunity to “support Kyiv, supply Armenia, and create an atmosphere of distrust between Moscow and Yerevan.”

The SVR report adds that European countries, facing economic difficulties caused by the war in Ukraine, have limited funds available for such initiatives. It accuses the EU of trying to use frozen Russian assets to cover expenses related to Ukraine and its allies but says that Belgium, which holds many of those assets, has resisted such measures.

The report concludes by saying, “Such is the kiss of Yerevan,” implying that Armenia’s actions are both symbolic and costly.

Armenia Rejects the Russian Claims

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan dismissed Moscow’s allegations, calling them “absolute nonsense.” Speaking to reporters at the National Assembly, Pashinyan denied any plan to replace Russian wheat imports with Ukrainian grain.

The Armenian leader emphasized that his government has made no such decision and described the Russian statement as false.

Armenia remains heavily dependent on Russia for its wheat supplies. Various estimates indicate that over 90% of the wheat consumed in Armenia comes from Russian producers.

The Russian claims came just days after Armenia received its first wheat shipments from Russia and Kazakhstan through a rail route crossing Azerbaijan — the first such transport in almost 35 years. The reopening of this corridor was made possible by improving relations between Yerevan and Baku.

Officials in both Armenia and Azerbaijan have expressed optimism that this new transport route could strengthen trade and help stabilize the region. It follows a trilateral summit held in Washington involving Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the United States, during which the sides agreed to promote new trade and connectivity routes.

As part of those agreements, Armenia pledged to ensure “unimpeded connectivity” between mainland Azerbaijan and its Nakhijevan exclave, while also expecting reciprocal benefits for its own regional access.

The Armenian government hopes that easing tensions with Azerbaijan, after Azerbaijan’s occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh, will lead to wider regional cooperation — including the reopening of the border with Turkey.

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