Opposition politician warns government policies could draw country into wider conflict

Armenian opposition politician Artak Zakaryan on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government of pursuing a foreign policy course that could leave Armenia dangerously exposed amid escalating geopolitical rivalry in the South Caucasus.

Writing on social media, Zakaryan, a senior member of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), warned that Yerevan’s growing engagement with the European Union risked placing the country at the center of competing interests involving Russia, Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Western powers.

“When the authorities call on people to ‘stand for peace,’ do they understand that their own policies may be leading the country toward a new military threat?” Zakaryan said.

He argued that Armenia’s geographic position — situated between Russia and Iran to the north and south, and Turkey and Azerbaijan to the west and east — makes it particularly vulnerable during a period of intensifying global competition over transport corridors, resources and strategic influence.

“In the midst of an uncertain and increasingly volatile regional environment, Armenia has chosen to ‘play the European Union game,’” he said, accusing the ruling Civil Contract party of creating conditions that could generate new security risks for the country.

Zakaryan said Western powers were seeking to expand their foothold in the Caucasus, particularly in Armenia, describing such efforts as a “red line” for both Russia and Iran. He added that Turkey and Azerbaijan stood ready to capitalize on any resulting tensions.

“As global powers compete over resources and communication routes, each side is looking for leverage and strategic footholds,” he said. “The question is whose interests are being served by pushing Armenia toward the next regional confrontation?”