Putin Sends Support to Jailed Kocharyan as Armenia Drifts From Moscow
Putin sent birthday wishes to jailed former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan ahead of meeting Nikol Pashinyan, as analyst Paul Goble says Russia is losing its grip on Armenia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin extended birthday wishes to jailed former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan, urging him to "remain resilient in the face of adversity." Kocharyan, who served as Armenia's president from 1998 to 2008, was arrested last week on corruption charges and ordered held for two months. Putin's message, published by the Kremlin, came just before Putin was set to meet Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Bishkek.
The message emphasized Putin's continued support for Kocharyan, despite his current legal troubles. Kocharyan and his family are facing charges of abuse of office, accepting a large bribe, and money laundering. His detention comes as Armenia distances itself from Russia and strengthens ties with the West. US analyst Paul Goble noted that this shift reflects a broader erosion of Russia's influence in the South Caucasus, with leaders once close to the Kremlin now finding that Russian support doesn't guarantee political survival.
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