Nikol Pashinyan engaged in a heated exchange with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko during the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) summit on Thursday. Attending via video link from Yerevan, Pashinyan cited a positive COVID-19 test as the reason for canceling his trip to Saint Petersburg, a move that some domestic critics linked to Armenia’s strained relations with Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, hosting the summit outside Russia’s second-largest city, made no mention of Pashinyan’s absence or health. Lukashenko, however, seized the moment to quip about Pashinyan’s physical absence, saying:
“We know that you not only shaved your beard but also got a little sick. That’s why we perceive you as a new, young member of our union.”
Pashinyan responded with a pointed remark, stating he would also skip the next EEU summit in Minsk, reaffirming his earlier decision that neither he nor Armenian officials would visit Belarus as long as Lukashenko remains in power.
“Is Minsk too far, or do you have nobody to give you a ride?” Lukashenko retorted, offering to arrange transportation for Armenia’s delegation. Pashinyan shot back, suggesting Belarus might also be facing challenges with technology:
“No problem… I understand that you may be having problems with TV sets as well.”
Armenia-Belarus Relations at a Low Point
Tensions between Armenia and Belarus have been escalating for months. In May, Lukashenko openly declared his support for Azerbaijan’s military plans to retake Artsakh and admitted to approving them in discussions with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev before the 2020 war. In response, Armenia recalled its ambassador from Minsk in June.
The relationship further deteriorated in August when Lukashenko criticized Armenia’s government for its pro-Western foreign policy shift. This criticism mirrors Moscow’s disapproval of Armenia’s growing ties with the West.
Armenia’s Shifting Foreign Policy
Earlier this year, Pashinyan announced Armenia’s effective suspension of its membership in the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). However, he has been cautious about distancing Armenia from the EEU, given the country’s heavy reliance on Russia’s market and affordable natural gas.
Despite Armenia’s yearlong presidency of the EEU, Pashinyan declined to host any EEU summits in Yerevan, citing unwelcome leaders among its member states. While he did not name specific individuals, speculation centers on Lukashenko and possibly Putin.
Pashinyan’s Absence and Domestic Reactions
Pashinyan’s decision to skip the Saint Petersburg summit prompted further speculation about Armenia’s strained relations with Moscow. Some commentators dismissed the official COVID-19 explanation, suggesting it was a pretext for avoiding high-profile gatherings with ex-Soviet leaders.
Hayk Konjoryan, the parliamentary leader of Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract party, dismissed such claims. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized Armenia’s ongoing importance in the EEU and CIS, noting the economic benefits Armenia derives from its membership.
Pashinyan has largely avoided EEU and CIS meetings in recent months, including those in Kyrgyzstan and the CSTO summit in late 2023. While he continues to assert Armenia’s strategic importance within these blocs, his actions signal a cautious but deliberate reorientation of Armenia’s foreign policy.
