Pashinyan denies claims of Armenia's Westward shift, says no intent to undermine Russia ties

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has denied that Armenia is reorienting its foreign policy toward the West, insisting that the government has no intention of damaging relations with Russia and is guided solely by national interests.

“I don’t recall ever saying that we are moving toward the West. Usually, I say we are not moving in any particular direction,” Pashinyan told reporters during a briefing at government headquarters on Thursday.

His remarks follow Armenia’s recent adoption of legislation initiating the country’s accession process to the European Union.

Pashinyan said Armenia has not reached a stage where Russia’s military presence in the country constrains its strategic outlook.

“We are not at the point where the Russian military base obstructs our strategic vision,” he said. “If we ever see that it does, we will consider how to proceed to ensure that such an issue does not arise.”

He emphasized that Yerevan has never sought to undermine Moscow’s interests.

“We have not had, do not have and will not have any intention of harming the interests of the Russian Federation,” Pashinyan said. “Our task has been and remains to act exclusively in accordance with Armenia’s national interests.”