Europe Turns to Armenia as Russia Watches Warily

More than 30 European leaders have gathered in Yerevan for back-to-back summits, marking a significant geopolitical shift for Armenia—a country historically aligned with Russia. The meetings, including the European Political Community summit and a landmark EU-Armenia bilateral, signal growing ties between Armenia and Europe despite its longstanding dependence on Moscow for energy and security.

The shift gained momentum after the 2023 conflict with Azerbaijan, when Russia failed to intervene as Azerbaijani forces took control of Nagorno-Karabakh, displacing over 100,000 ethnic Armenians. Disillusioned with Russian-led security arrangements, Armenia has since moved closer to Europe, even initiating steps toward EU membership in 2025. A US-backed peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan has further accelerated regional diplomacy, though tensions remain fragile.

Russia has reacted with visible unease, warning that Armenia cannot simultaneously align with both the EU and its Eurasian Economic Union. Recent actions—including trade restrictions and suspected cyber interference—highlight growing friction. While Europe is offering support through monitoring missions and cooperation, it has stopped short of firm commitments on defence or energy, leaving Armenia to carefully balance its shifting alliances.

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