Since 2018, Armenia’s current leadership has attempted to maintain stable relations with Russia, but this approach has not prevented unfriendly actions from Moscow. Political analyst Hovsep Khurshudyan highlights this in the context of discussions about whether hosting the European Political Community summit in Yerevan could be perceived as an anti-Russian move.
According to him, the Armenian government made significant concessions in its relations with Russia, including steps that previous administrations avoided, such as participation in a Syrian mission under the Russian flag. However, these actions did not lead to improved security outcomes.
He argues that Russia’s policies toward Armenia are driven by its own strategic priorities and are largely unaffected by concessions from Yerevan. As a result, he considers the search for new alliances and the strengthening of national sovereignty to be a more effective approach.
He warns that relying on unilateral concessions in exchange for security guarantees is both ineffective and potentially harmful.
Sovereignty and border protection
Khurshudyan emphasizes that the ability to independently protect national borders is fundamental to sovereignty.
He questions the effectiveness of the Russian military presence in Armenia, noting that it did not provide meaningful support during the escalation in 2022. This raises concerns about its practical value.
The European dimension
The analyst points to the growing role of Europe in Armenia’s security framework. He highlights the EU civilian monitoring mission, which, despite being unarmed, has contributed to stability in certain situations.
According to him, Europe’s political influence can act as a deterrent factor in the region.
He also notes ongoing discussions about expanding such missions, including potential deployment along the Armenia–Turkey border.
Security through diversification
At the same time, Khurshudyan stresses that external support cannot replace the development of Armenia’s own defense capabilities.
The key objective is to build a deterrence system that makes potential aggression too costly.
He also underscores the importance of regional normalization and economic cooperation as tools for reducing conflict risks.
In his view, participation in regional infrastructure and economic projects can create a network of mutual interests that strengthens overall security.