Moscow once counted on Armenia as a loyal regional partner. Now, as relations sour, Russia appears willing to rewrite its own role in the Karabakh conflict.
When Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov recently spoke in Yerevan about the use of Russian weapons in the occupation of Azerbaijani territories, his words may have seemed like a surprising admission. In reality, they revealed something deeper — the growing rift between Russia and Armenia’s current government.
Lavrov pointed out that Armenia had used Russian-supplied arms not only in the Karabakh war but also to build defensive lines across seven districts that Yerevan had never officially claimed.
Lavrov’s comments came not as part of an open reckoning, but at a moment when Moscow is visibly frustrated with Armenia’s political direction under Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
Analysts say the remarks reflect Russia’s shifting strategy. For years, Armenia served as a reliable partner in the South Caucasus — a country deeply aligned with Moscow, supported militarily and diplomatically, and often used as a counterweight to Western and Turkish influence in the region.
Throughout that period, Russia avoided publicly discussing its own enabling role in the first Karabakh war or acknowledging how its arms shaped the battlefield. But now, with Armenia distancing itself from the Kremlin, those same talking points have become politically convenient.
This is not just a change in rhetoric — it's a revealing moment of double standards.
Lavrov’s comments appear to be part of a broader pressure campaign. Russia has continued to back opposition figures tied to Armenia’s former administrations — such as Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan — and recently appointed Sergey Kiriyenko to oversee relations with Armenia. That move, along with renewed contacts with the so-called “Karabakh clan,” signals Moscow’s preference for more compliant political actors.
The relationship began shifting in earnest after Armenia’s 2018 Velvet Revolution, which brought Pashinyan to power on promises of reform and independence from oligarchic and foreign influence. Since then, Armenia has taken cautious steps to realing itself on the foreign political scene.
Pashinyan’s recent declaration that “there will be no new war” between Armenia and Azerbaijan was read by many as a direct signal to both domestic and international audiences that Armenia will no longer be drawn into cycles of escalation — especially not on Moscow’s terms.
Observers argue that Russia’s old playbook — using loyal allies, controlling conflict narratives, and leveraging military dependency — is increasingly out of step with the South Caucasus’ evolving political landscape. Calls for sovereignty, peace, and long-term development are growing, and Russia’s attempts to reassert control through public rebukes and selective memory may no longer work.
The Armenian Prime Minister is set to visit Türkiye on Friday.
President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that Armenia must respect Azerbaijanis' right to return to their ancestral lands as a fundamental condition for achieving peace, reconciliation, and upholding human rights in the region.
As Armenia prepares to host the 8th European Political Community Summit and Baku gets ready for the 12th, Caucasus Now explores a critical question: are external actors truly invested in peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan?
Peace is no longer a dream. It is a discussion. On the streets of Baku and Yerevan, it is also a question, of trust, of foreign interests, and of who truly wants it.
Azerbaijan and Armenia have successfully concluded peace agreement negotiations and are now in consultations to sign the treaty, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced.
Russia and Kazakhstan have signed a formal agreement to move forward with the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan, marking a key step in their energy cooperation.
Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, and its European services to Amman, Jordan, effective immediately until 15 September due to escalating situation in the Middle East. Also, the air carrier temporarily suspended its flights between Astana, Kazakhstan, and Abu Dhabi.
Russia intends to withdraw from its long-standing agreement on military-technical cooperation with Germany, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced, citing that relevant internal procedures are currently underway.
A nationwide transport strike on Friday disrupted travel across Italy, with major delays and cancellations reported in rail, air, and public transit services.
Azerbaijan and Poland discussed closer cooperation in digital tax reforms and innovation during a high-level meeting held on the sidelines of the IOTA General Assembly in Baku.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
Peace is no longer a dream. It is a discussion. On the streets of Baku and Yerevan, it is also a question, of trust, of foreign interests, and of who truly wants it.
Israeli strikes have reportedly targeted areas near the residences of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to the New York Times, citing local witnesses.
The 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit was held June 15–17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, under Canada’s presidency. Prime Minister Mark Carney framed the meeting around priorities of protecting communities, energy and climate security, the digital transition, and future partnerships.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 17th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
President Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree approving the “Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the People's Republic of China on International Multimodal Transportation.”
Diplomatic representatives accredited in Azerbaijan have arrived in the East Zangezur and Karabakh regions for a multiday visit showcasing post-conflict reconstruction and cultural development.
Russia intends to withdraw from its long-standing agreement on military-technical cooperation with Germany, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced, citing that relevant internal procedures are currently underway.
Azerbaijan and Poland discussed closer cooperation in digital tax reforms and innovation during a high-level meeting held on the sidelines of the IOTA General Assembly in Baku.
President Ilham Aliyev welcomed Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade, Laziz Kudratov, in Baku, as the two countries look to deepen their strategic economic partnership.
Russia and Kazakhstan have signed a formal agreement to move forward with the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan, marking a key step in their energy cooperation.
Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, and its European services to Amman, Jordan, effective immediately until 15 September due to escalating situation in the Middle East. Also, the air carrier temporarily suspended its flights between Astana, Kazakhstan, and Abu Dhabi.
Russia intends to withdraw from its long-standing agreement on military-technical cooperation with Germany, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced, citing that relevant internal procedures are currently underway.
A nationwide transport strike on Friday disrupted travel across Italy, with major delays and cancellations reported in rail, air, and public transit services.
Azerbaijan and Poland discussed closer cooperation in digital tax reforms and innovation during a high-level meeting held on the sidelines of the IOTA General Assembly in Baku.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment