Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's visit to Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin highlights the growing tensions between the two former allies. The meeting follows Azerbaijan's military campaign in Nagorno-Karabakh and concerns over Armenia's ties with the West.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's visit to Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday underscored the strained relations between the two former allies amid spiraling tensions. The two leaders met following a summit of the Eurasian Economic Union, where they had attended earlier in the day.
Putin expressed satisfaction with the growth in bilateral trade but acknowledged concerns regarding regional security. Pashinyan highlighted the accumulation of issues since his previous visit to Moscow in December.
Armenia's ties with Russia have become increasingly strained after Azerbaijan's military campaign in Nagorno-Karabakh, which ended three decades of Armenian separatist rule. Armenian authorities accused Russian peacekeepers of failing to intervene during the conflict.
Moscow's irritation has further increased with Pashinyan's efforts to strengthen ties with the West and distance his country from Moscow-dominated alliances. Armenia recently announced its withdrawal from the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization.
Russia's focus on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has led to public expressions of concern about Armenia's westward shift, but Moscow has downplayed the differences.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged "certain problems" in bilateral relations but emphasized the political will to continue dialogue.
Armenia has faced criticism from Russia for joining the International Criminal Court, which has indicted Putin for alleged war crimes in Ukraine.
Pashinyan, at the meeting with Putin, urged swift border agreements to prevent conflict with Azerbaijan. He also highlighted Armenia's commitment to the peace process.
Russia has emphasized the importance of maintaining its military base in Armenia and called for a resolution to the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh through diplomatic channels.
Despite the tensions, both Armenia and Russia have expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue and work towards resolving the outstanding issues between them. The outcome of the talks between Pashinyan and Putin remains to be seen, but it is clear that the relationship between the two countries is facing significant challenges.
