Armenian activist accuses government of misleading public on U.S. deal

An opposition activist on Tuesday accused the Armenian government of misleading the public over the scale of U.S. economic engagement, saying officials had mischaracterized comments by U.S. Vice President JD Vance as investment pledges.

Shiraz Manukyan, a member of the Mer Dzevov (In Our Way) movement, said the government presented remarks made during a recent meeting between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Vance as a $9 billion investment commitment, when they referred instead to U.S. exports and service contracts.

Manukyan stressed Vance spoke of “approximately $5 billion in U.S. exports” and “a further $4 billion in long-term service contracts”, not direct investment. He accused government members and supporters of promoting a “false narrative” to bolster the government’s standing.

“The government’s legitimacy is low, and the simplest way they try to raise it is by spreading lies,” Manukyan said in a video.

Mer Dzevov has been launched by jailed businessman and philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan.