Russia Warns Armenia Could Become a ‘New Ukraine’ Over Turn Toward West

Russia’s former president and current deputy chairman of its Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, has warned Armenia against its growing turn toward the West, saying the country becoming a “new Ukraine” would be the worst possible outcome.

Medvedev made the remarks in an interview with Iranian state television, according to Russia’s RBC, which reported on the interview October 4.

“The current Armenian leadership decided it was right to change the direction of its development,” Medvedev said. “I am certain that this, too, will lead to nothing good. The worst thing that could happen to Armenia is its transformation into a new Ukraine.”

He accused Western governments of putting Armenia’s longstanding relationship with Russia under pressure.

The warning comes as Yerevan seeks closer ties with the European Union after years of deteriorating relations with Moscow.

Armenia’s parliament adopted a law in March 2025 launching a process aimed at joining the EU. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in August that his government would soon begin work toward submitting a formal membership application.

Moscow has made clear that it sees Armenia’s European ambitions as incompatible with continued membership in the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Armenia’s decision to launch an EU accession process effectively raises the question of leaving the Eurasian Economic Union. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has also accused Western countries of trying to draw Russia’s traditional allies away from Moscow.

Armenia and Russia remain formally allied, but their relationship has sharply deteriorated in recent years. Yerevan has repeatedly criticized Moscow and the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization over their response to Armenia’s security concerns and has sought to broaden its diplomatic and security partnerships.

Medvedev also used the interview to emphasize Russia’s partnership with Iran, saying the two countries were capable of developing their regional ties without outside involvement.

“We do not need anyone else to be friends, trade and develop,” Medvedev said, referring to Russia and Iran’s shared interests in the Caspian region.

—

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