Amid the upcoming parliamentary elections in Armenia, relations with Russia and the country’s geopolitical orientation have once again become one of the main topics on the agenda. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s accusations that Russia is creating a “spy network” in Armenia, along with Moscow’s open concern over Yerevan’s rapprochement with the European Union, have intensified political tensions in the region. Human rights defender Ahmad Shahidov spoke about the issue during a broadcast on ARB24 Television.
Ahmad Shahidov stated that Russia’s recent statements constitute a clear political message to Armenia: “Moscow is openly demonstrating that it does not accept Armenia benefiting from the advantages of the Eurasian Economic Union while simultaneously pursuing integration with the European Union. Although Russian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksey Overchuk maintained a diplomatic tone in his recent remarks, the essence of the message was a warning to Yerevan that the time for a geopolitical choice is approaching. Russia wants to keep Armenia within its sphere of influence and is viewing the upcoming elections through this prism.”
Human rights defender Ahmad Shahidov also noted that Nikol Pashinyan’s statements regarding “FSB agents” and “foreign interference” indicate that the internal political struggle in Armenia has entered a much harsher phase: “Pashinyan presents the elections not merely as a struggle for power, but as a determination of Armenia’s future geopolitical direction. At the same time, political and economic circles close to Russia are also being mobilized. A serious division is being observed within Armenia, and this process may deepen further until the elections.”
