Key facts
- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan hopes to resolve recent "problematic issues" with Russia.
- Moscow had imposed trade restrictions on Armenian goods before the June election.
- Pashinyan met with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in Yekaterinburg.
- Pashinyan reaffirmed Armenia's commitment to the Eurasian Economic Union.
- Armenia has been pursuing a pro-Western foreign policy.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan indicated on Monday that he hopes to mend his country's relationship with Russia and resolve recent "problematic issues." These comments were made during his first visit to Russia since his re-election in June, where he met with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in Yekaterinburg.
Pashinyan's visit occurred amidst recent trade restrictions imposed by Moscow on Armenian goods, including fresh produce and alcoholic products. He described the meeting as an opportunity to "synchronise our watches" and address these matters.
Armenia, a treaty ally of Russia, has been increasingly aligning itself with the West, a direction that has drawn criticism from Moscow. Russia had previously threatened to suspend Armenia from the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union if it pursued European Union membership. Despite these tensions, Pashinyan assured Mishustin of Armenia's commitment to further developing relations with Russia and participating in the Eurasian Economic Union.
Armenia is significantly reliant on Russia for energy, with Russia comprising approximately 35% of Armenia's foreign trade last year. In the month following the election, the European Union disbursed €52 million in economic support to Armenia and liberalized some export rules for Armenian goods destined for EU markets.