In a recent letter to President Joe Biden, Armenia's Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, underscored the strategic alliance between his nation and the United States.
This comes amidst rising doubts about Armenia's continued participation in a security alliance led by Moscow.
According to Newsweek, Pashinyan's letter, written in Armenian, Russian, English, and French, was sent on the occasion of the U.S. Independence Day. The Prime Minister highlighted the "close ties" between Armenia and the U.S., lauding Washington's role in fostering peace in the region.
Pashinyan expressed his satisfaction with the commitment to "further expansion" of cooperation in democratic reforms, energy, anti-corruption measures, and security. This commitment, he noted, is reflected in the elevation of the strategic dialogue between Armenia and the U.S. to the level of strategic partnership.
Armenia, a former Soviet Union member where Russian is still widely spoken, has traditionally maintained close economic and political ties with Moscow. However, these ties have been strained, particularly since the onset of Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This strain led to Armenia suspending its membership in the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), viewed as Moscow's counter to NATO.
Armenia's decision was fueled by Moscow's lack of intervention when Azerbaijan initiated an offensive in the Nagorno-Karabakh region in September 2023. This region, internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, was predominantly inhabited by ethnic Armenians.
The victory of Baku led to the mass exodus of the Armenian population from the region and the dissolution of what Armenians called the Republic of Artsakh. This situation has intensified the long-standing negotiations between Baku and Yerevan over their respective borders.
The Atlantic Council noted in June that "Yerevan and Baku appear closer than ever to agreeing a long-awaited peace dealwhich would be a historic achievement." The think tank also suggested that as Russia's influence in the region wanes, Armenia is seeking new security and development partners in the West. In line with this, Armenia has accepted an invitation to attend the upcoming NATO summit in Washington, marking the alliance's 75th anniversary.
However, there were conflicting reports last month about Armenia's shift away from Russia. The country's Foreign Minister, Ararat Mirzoyan, dismissed reports that Yerevan would definitively leave the CSTO, following comments by Pashinyan suggesting the same. Mirzoyan clarified that the decision to exit the bloc would be made by Armenia's authorities.
In his letter, Pashinyan, without mentioning Russia, outlined how the U.S. would be a crucial partner for the post-Soviet republic. He expressed "confidence that our continued and strengthening partnership at this critical time will contribute to building a peaceful and more prosperous future." This statement underscores the potential for a shift in Armenia's alliances, reflecting the changing geopolitical landscape.
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