Armenia will seek new partners while holding to Russia

Subject

Armenian foreign policy under new management.

Significance

On coming to power in May 2018, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan promised sweeping domestic change and reform, but foreign policy continuity. Foreign policy is nevertheless evolving because the new government has a greater popular mandate than its predecessors and draws on a younger generation of politicians. Previous leaders spoke of a 'multi-vector', balanced foreign policy; this may now be more attainable.

Impacts

• Armenia has one enduring advantage: Russia's relations are poor with Georgia and uncertain with Azerbaijan.
• Ties with Moscow are good enough to allow Pashinyan's government to order advanced Sukhoi Su-30SM fighters at a discount price.
• Current US foreign policy appears singularly unsuited to engaging with the multidimensional issues of the South Caucasus.