Armenia–Russia Relations: Beyond the Politics of Symbolism

Much has recently been discussed about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision not to congratulate Armenia’s prime minister on his re-election. I and others had expressed the view that the Russian president would congratulate Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, but that formal diplomatic gesture did not take place. However, this does not mean that Russia failed to recognize the results of Armenia’s elections or that the Armenian prime minister lacked legitimacy. In fact, after the elections, the first country visited by the Armenian prime minister was Russia, and the first foreign official he met was Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. Clearly, if such a meeting took place, it demonstrates that Russia recognizes not only the outcome of Armenia’s elections but also the legitimacy of its government.

At the same time, Putin — who formally did not congratulate Pashinyan on his re-election — is expected to become the first foreign leader to meet with the Armenian prime minister in the coming days, according to Russian media reports. It is also important to remember that on June 27, Putin and Pashinyan held a telephone conversation. According to the official account of that conversation, the two leaders exchanged views on the agenda of Armenia-Russia relations, particularly on issues that had emerged in bilateral economic relations.

Regarding the possibility of holding a referendum in Armenia on EU membership—a possibility mentioned in the joint statement adopted on May 29 by the leaders of the four EAEU member states — Pashinyan emphasized that such a referendum would, in practical terms, become possible only after Armenia formally applies for EU membership and the issue becomes a concrete political matter. In other words, Pashinyan conveyed to Putin that Armenia is not currently discussing EU membership as a concrete issue and that no immediate decision or process regarding membership exists.

Against the backdrop of such intensive contacts and discussions, it would therefore be inaccurate to define the current state of Armenian-Russian relations primarily through the message conveyed by Putin’s decision not to congratulate Pashinyan. A single diplomatic gesture, or the absence of one, does not fundamentally alter the nature of bilateral relations.

Put differently, Putin’s failure to congratulate Pashinyan had no direct connection to Russia’s recognition or non-recognition of the election results or the legitimacy of the Armenian government.

Putin was the first major foreign leader not to congratulate Pashinyan. Yet the Russian prime minister was the first foreign official to meet with him. Putin was also among the first foreign leaders to speak with Pashinyan by telephone, and he is expected to be the first foreign head of state to meet with the Armenian prime minister. As for Armenia’s own position, as Armenian authorities have repeatedly stated, there is currently no issue of withdrawing from the EAEU or joining the EU on the government’s immediate political agenda.