Zelensky Says Armenia Ties Are ‘Even More Constructive’ as Putin Stays Silent on Pashinyan Victory

President Volodymyr Zelensky and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan engaged in a phone conversation on Wednesday, August 12th, to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional as well as global developments. Both leaders emphasized the importance of advancing sustainable and lasting peace. This follows an increase in political contacts between Kyiv and Yerevan, with Zelensky describing the relationship between Ukraine and Armenia as becoming "even more constructive."

Speaking to X, Zelensky stated, "I spoke with Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan. Relations between Ukraine and Armenia are now becoming even more constructive, and it is important that we maintain a continuous dialogue." According to the Ukrainian president's office, the two leaders reviewed the outcomes of Zelensky's May visit to Armenia and discussed priority areas for further collaboration.

The Armenian Prime Minister's Office confirmed that Zelensky congratulated Pashinyan on his reappointment as prime minister following Armenia's parliamentary elections. As of August 12th, Russian President Vladimir Putin had not publicly congratulated Pashinyan on his party's victory in the June 7th parliamentary election, which secured the ruling party a majority in parliament.

During a phone call between the two leaders on July 29th, Pashinyan was explicitly asked why Putin had not congratulated him on the election result. Pashinyan responded, "He didn't want to, so he didn't congratulate me. But that raises the question: who, then, was he talking to?" The contrast in the lack of public congratulations between the two leaders highlights a shift in Armenia's foreign policy, moving away from its traditional dependence on Moscow and towards closer ties with Europe and the US.

Pashinyan's Civil Contract party secured 49.8% of the June vote, despite what international observers and Armenian officials claim was Russian interference and pressure surrounding the election. Zelensky's visit to Yerevan in May marked the first such visit by a Ukrainian president to Armenia in 24 years. During their conversation, the leaders also discussed regional security concerns and economic cooperation, with Zelensky proposing the revival of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation and suggesting a potential meeting in Kyiv.