Kocharyan warns Armenia risks 'serious problems' amid deepening rift with Russia

Former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan warned on Monday that Armenia is endangering its national security and economic stability by allowing relations with Russia to deteriorate, arguing that Moscow remains the only effective counterweight to Turkish influence in the South Caucasus.

Speaking during a campaign stop in the town of Vayk in Armenia’s Vayots Dzor Province, Kocharyan said the region has historically been shaped by competition among Iran, Turkey and Russia, and cautioned that Yerevan cannot afford to alienate Moscow under current geopolitical conditions.

“For several centuries, Iran, Turkey and Russia have competed for influence in this region,” Kocharyan said. “Russia is the only country capable of counterbalancing Turkey’s influence here.”

Kocharyan, who is the prime ministerial candidate of the opposition Hayastan alliance, said Armenian foreign policy should focus on preserving a strategic balance among regional powers while containing Ankara’s growing influence through close cooperation with Russia.

“What is the current government doing?” Kocharyan asked. “Everything possible to damage relations with Russia.”

He described Russia as Armenia’s indispensable partner not only in security matters but also in the economic sphere, claiming that the livelihoods of a large segment of the Armenian population remain closely tied to bilateral economic relations.

“The well-being of roughly 80 percent of Armenia’s population depends significantly on economic ties with Russia,” he said. “This is a reality that cannot simply be ignored.”

Kocharyan also said the tone of recent statements from Russian officials toward Armenia had become unusually severe, signaling mounting frustration in Moscow.

“Initially, the warnings came in diplomatic language,” he said. “Now they are no longer diplomatic. The message is: ‘Get your act together, or you are going to face serious problems.’”

Kocharyan said he had spent recent months urging the Armenian authorities to avoid policies that could trigger broader national consequences.

“For the past two or three months, I have been saying: don’t do this,” Kocharyan said. “You are bringing trouble upon the Armenian people, and it will not be you who pays the price — it will be the nation.”