The European Commission has thrown its weight behind Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan just days before the country’s crucial Sunday elections. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a support package worth over €50 million to help Armenia counter Russian economic sanctions.
Von der Leyen accused Moscow of weaponizing trade, stating, "By extending export restrictions on Armenian products, Moscow is weaponising economic relations for political pressure." She added, "We know this playbook all too well. This is why Europe stands firmly with Armenia."
The package includes financial aid and measures to boost Armenian agri-food exports, such as a shipment of 10,000 flowers to Latvia. The EU and Armenia also agreed to form a joint task force to implement broader cooperation measures.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio signaled that Russia may want Pashinyan to lose the election due to Yerevan's growing ties with the West.
In response, Pashinyan has sought to calm tensions with Moscow. He accepted an invitation from President Vladimir Putin for talks, saying, "We will not engage in a war of words with Russia." He affirmed that Armenia’s relations with Russia are in a "transformational phase" but remain open and sincere.
Pashinyan also defended his decision to abandon claims to Nagorno-Karabakh, calling it his "greatest service to Armenia," as it allowed the country to pursue peace with Azerbaijan and a future aligned with Europe.