Pashinyan escalating anti-Russian rhetoric ahead of elections, analyst says

Armenian political analyst Hayk Nahapetyan on Tuesday denounced Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s recent remarks about alleged corruption linked to foreign systems, arguing the statements reflect a lack of diplomatic restraint and strategic foresight.

Speaking after Pashinyan’s comments during a government briefing, Nahapetyan said the prime minister’s rhetoric toward Russia, Armenia’s key economic partner, risks undermining diplomatic relations.

Pashinyan had described certain wealthy figures as lacking analytical ability and suggested that a significant portion of their wealth is tied to foreign corruption networks. His remarks prompted questions about whether such statements effectively label Russia as part of a corrupt system.

In an interview to Panorama.am on Tuesday, Nahapetyan dismissed the comments as irresponsible and inconsistent, claiming the prime minister frequently makes contradictory statements. He also stated that Pashinyan is escalating anti-Russian rhetoric ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections to shape international perceptions and limit scrutiny from external observers.

According to Nahapetyan, this strategy is aimed at securing favorable assessments from European institutions, while discrediting potential criticism from Russian and other international monitors.

He further argued that tensions with Russia could intensify in the lead-up to elections, as the government seeks broader support from European partners.