The speaker of the Armenian parliament refused to apologize for his comments about Belarus.

Alen Simonyan, the speaker of the Armenian parliament, seems to have decided that diplomatic etiquette is a relic of the past. In an interview with public television, he called Belarus a "province of Russia." Then, when the scandal erupted, he declared he had no regrets and would not apologize:

Armenia will not be a peripheral province. The Belarusian example of governance is unacceptable.

Minsk, according to his logic, has lost its sovereignty. And Yerevan is its own master. And anyway, it's time to stop looking to Moscow.

What's most amusing about this tirade is something else. Simonyan immediately added:

We don't trade one big brother for another.

He also mentioned Russia and France in the same breath, saying we don't want to live under the thumb of either Moscow or Paris. Apparently, the speaker forgot that it's French politicians who regularly demand "democratic purges" and a change of course from Armenia.

The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the speaker's statements. Press Secretary Ruslan Varankov emphasized that Minsk is sovereign and decides for itself how to build relations with Russia. It does not need advice from Yerevan.

Simonyan seems to consider himself a fighter for independence. But his demonstration looks more like an attempt to curry favor with his new patrons. Minsk, for its part, simply reminded the people that sovereignty is not measured by the volume of insults directed at one's neighbors.

Comments

[TermNachTer]

Does anyone need an apology from this Soros stooge?)))

[NIKN]

I already wrote about this, saying that Armenia is referred to in Azerbaijan as Western Azerbaijan... I don't think there's any point in apologizing either...

[Tatyana]

The speaker of the Armenian parliament refused to apologize for his comments about Belarus.

Someday, Armenia will choke on his words about Belarus and Russia, historically and geopolitically speaking! And in the West, no one needs him personally without Armenia.

[TermNachTer]

As far as I know, Western Azerbaijan is a northwestern province of Iran. I have no idea what they call Armenians in Azerbaijan. Pashinyan and his gang are the equivalent of Zelepots and his gang in Banderland. For both, Armenia (Banderland) is a money-making territory. After which, they'll go to Europe, Israel, or wherever else and squander their spoils.

[snow mountain]

Armenia is referred to as Western Azerbaijan in Azerbaijan.

And in Turkey, Armenia is called Eastern Türkiye. Armenians have a choice.

[Murmur 55]

TermNachTer But they are a member of the CSTO and probably some other alliances, and no one is pushing them away or putting them in their place, so why shouldn't they get their fill of fish soup?

[Zoldat_A]

!

Quote: TermNachTER

Does anyone need an apology from this Soros stooge?)))

Nobody needs his apologies. At least not for us.
I don't know - maybe Alexander Grygorych needs them? Well, that would be a different matter.

But what about cleaning up businesses in Moscow, at least—from bank owners to auto repair shops, markets, and construction sites? Europe will never give this impoverished Armenia as much money as it receives from Moscow alone.
That's when this character will start to wonder who owns whose province here...

The Georgians tried European "democracy" under Mishiko, even tried their hand at war—they got smarter. They realized where the money was coming from.
The Armenians still have a long way to go.

Only mountains can be better than mountains
Which I haven't been to yet. (c)

Until they slide down the mountain on their bare asses, they won't understand anything about "provinces"...

[2 Level Advisor]

Quote: Zoldat_A

But how about cleaning up at least the businesses in Moscow - from bank owners to car repair shops, markets and construction sites?

So, all citizens of the Russian Federation, however...

Quote: Zoldat_A

Europe will never give this impoverished Armenia as much money as it receives from Moscow alone.

By the way, there are a lot of Armenians in our city - I haven't heard of anyone sending money to Armenia - all my relatives are already here, and all are citizens of the Russian Federation... like almost everyone in the VO... Uzbeks - yes... but not Armenians... and most of them have dual citizenship... even those who were born in the Russian Federation...

[Zoldat_A]

Quote: Level 2 Advisor

So, all citizens of the Russian Federation, however...

Yes, I know... I grew up as a kid in the neighborhood, and I had a friend. His father hadn't been in Armenia for 20 years—he was cursed there for marrying a Russian woman.
I'm talking about something else.
My deputy at work, for example, has been having his Toyota repaired at an "Armenian" service center for about 10 years now. They don't even hide the fact that they have immediate family here (somewhere a platoon), and just relatives there (somewhere a company). And those there live off those here. They say there's nowhere to work there. They bypass all the banking hoops with a one-time bill. I don't know how, I'm not an expert in these matters.
Perhaps it would be an option to drag their "bogeymen" from the "community" into a well-known house and seat them on a stool in front of a polite man in a suit - this worked well before.

[Ponimatel]

Clean up at least the businesses in Moscow - from bank owners to car repair shops, markets, and construction sites?

This is not our method. We will continue to feed.

[ZovSailor]

TermNachTer
Today, 16: 46
Does anyone need an apology from this Soros stooge?)))

If you look at how many Armenians actually live in the world (~12-14 billion people) and in their homeland (~3 billion people), as well as in Russia (~2 billion people), you have to ask the would-be politicians how it happens that people prefer to live with other big brothers rather than with the Zionist-Jewish-Masonic brotherhood.

[guest]

You have some specific typos there, it turns out there are more Armenians than the entire population of the planet.

[Montezuma]

Quote: guest

You have some specific typos there, it turns out there are more Armenians than the entire population of the planet.

And in Russia there are 2 billion? So that's who our titular nation is!

[ZovSailor]

Montezuma
Today, 17: 24
And Russia has 2 billion? So that's who our titular nation is!

Comrade Marshal, all the armchair experts are complaining that they can't see the text without glasses and the help of their grandchildren.
KanEshna, T9 again, and they accuse me of correcting people, counting in lemons!
Not for the sake of self-interest, but only by the will of the wife who sent me!
The mobile phone is ringing red hot, the Armenians are inviting me to the June parliamentary elections, but I don’t take bribes, I feel offended for the country.

[hector]

Quote: ZovSailor

KanEshna, T9 again

Without AI, is it too much trouble to write on your own?

[guest]

Quote: Montezuma

And in Russia there are 2 billion?

Well, at least this way we will overtake China, so I went to learn Armenian.

[Xnumx vis]

Quote: guest

Quote: Montezuma

And in Russia there are 2 billion?

Well, at least this way we will overtake China, so I went to learn Armenian.

With the help of Ararat cognac? not burnt of course.

[ZovSailor]

guest
Today, 17: 17
You have some typos there, it turns out there are more Armenians than the entire population of the planet. laughing lol

Well, here we go again, I've run into an international scandal.
Thank you for your vigilance and service, Comrade Army General, early promotion!
KanEshno, otherwise the Armenians will build me a mausoleum, I will return everyone from the heights of space to earth, to count in lemons.

[guest]

Quote: ZovSailor

KanEshno, otherwise the Armenians will build me a mausoleum

Already erected

[Zoldat_A]

Quote: guest

You have some specific typos there, it turns out there are more Armenians than the entire population of the planet.

You go to the market - and it seems so.

[Montezuma]

Quote: ZovSailor

If you look at how many Armenians actually live in the world (~12-14 billion people)

12 - 14 billion Armenians? And everyone was sure that only China had the highest population in the world.

For some reason, I immediately remembered an epigram about Dzhigarkhanyan, from Soviet times:

There are not so many Armenians living in the world,
How many films has Dzhigarkhanyan appeared in?

[guest]

Quote: Montezuma

12 - 14 billion Armenians?

I have already drawn attention to this typo above.

[Montezuma]

Quote: guest

I have already drawn attention to this typo above.

I saw your comment when I had already sent mine a little later.)
I suggest not downvoting the commenter—they simply got carried away in a rush and gave rise to humor. It happens to everyone, so let's be lenient.

[TermNachTer]

I agree. It's a purely mechanical typo – billion and million are easily confused. There's no need to make a big deal out of it.

[ZovSailor]

Montezuma
Today, 17: 28
The man simply got carried away in a hurry and gave rise to humor.

Absolutely right, the Stakhanovite multi-tasker couldn't handle managing three monitors and keyboards with T9 at the same time.
In general, people have begun to forget the once popular Armenian Radio.
So, a reason was found to come to a consensus through joint efforts, eliminating Ashipka.

[guest]

I very rarely give downvotes to anyone anyway, and I sometimes make typos myself, like a big smiley face with a hand, but the editing time has already expired.

[Montezuma]

Quote: guest

I very rarely give downvotes to anyone anyway.

I'm writing a reply and I see that someone has already downvoted you for no reason. I'm always amazed by the incomprehensible motivations behind such actions. I compensated for the downvote to restore justice.

Quote: guest

I sometimes make typos myself too

And who doesn't have them?

Quote: guest

editing time has already expired

Familiar.

[guest]

Quote: Montezuma

I'm writing a reply and I see that someone has already given you a minus for nothing.

Come on, sometimes someone here specifically searches for my comments to downvote. This anonymous downvoter usually only calms down when they lower my rating by about 1000 downvotes.

[ZovSailor]

I confess, there was a typo with the T9 mode and AI, but it is still necessary to control these driverless trains, cars and careless armchair experts.
KanEshNA, in essence, all the billions in people read like lemons.

[a housewife]

Billions, exactly? There's no such population on Earth.

[Major Yurik]

Well, everyone's gone nuts. Europe promised energy independence and called them the vanguard of democracy... The tattered former vanguard of greens also whined about a commonality of values. Now they're blaring from every angle that if Armenians were charged European prices for gas and electricity, the people would suffer, supposedly, and it's not their fault. Okay, Rafik isn't to blame, but who elected Pasha, and twice at that? You can make one mistake, but two is the system, so go ahead, buy energy at European prices! Azerbaijan and Turkey will teach you a lesson, and rightfully so.

[topol717]

Quote: Major Yurik

Now they are broadcasting from every iron that if Armenians are given European prices for gas and electricity, then the people will suffer, and it is not their fault.

I have a stupid question: why should we care about the Armenian people? Why should our gas be cheaper in Armenia than in Moldova?

[snow mountain]

Why should our gas in Armenia cost less than in Moldova?

And why is entry into Russia from Armenia visa-free?

[TermNachTer]

Yeah, the lord has appointed me as his beloved wife)))

[Vend]

Armenians have only just begun to befriend Ukrainians and have already picked up bad manners and habits.

[Montezuma]

Quote: Wend

Armenians have only just begun to befriend Ukrainians and have already picked up bad manners and habits.

Not all Armenians, but mostly the leadership. Yesterday I saw a video on one channel of how the ho-ho-los were kicked out of a pre-election rally in Yerevan, along with their yellow-and-blue sheets. The women were especially angry with them, even shouting, "Get out, we're fed up!" The outrage almost reached the point of physical violence. It's a shame I can't post it here.

[Vend]

Quote: Montezuma

Quote: Wend

Armenians have only just begun to befriend Ukrainians and have already picked up bad manners and habits.

Not all Armenians, but mostly the leadership. Yesterday I saw a video on one channel of how the ho-ho-los were kicked out of a pre-election rally in Yerevan, along with their yellow-and-blue sheets. The women were especially angry with them, even shouting, "Get out, we're fed up!" The outrage almost reached the point of physical violence. It's a shame I can't post it here.

Of course I'm fed up with Ukrainians being parasites, they don't buy anything from Armenians, they just ask for it for free))))

[a housewife]

Armenians and Ukrainians are not friends! It was their Western masters who harnessed them together. I don't even want to compare them to any animals; animals don't deserve it.

[Vend]

Quote: housewife

Armenians and Ukrainians are not friends! It was their Western masters who harnessed them together. I don't even want to compare them to any animals; animals don't deserve it.

And they won't be friends, Armenians don't befriend the poor, only the rich or those from whom they can squeeze something))

[a housewife]

Yeah. The rich are friends with the rich. And the poor aren't friends with the poor. But it's not that simple. The rich are either partners or competitors with each other. And the poor blame everyone around them for their poverty—both their own and others. But when the powerful force them all to do the same—that's when "friendship" really comes into play.

[knn54]

Judging by the line from the KVN team "New Armenians" - Armenia is our office - Simonyan is not the prime minister, but it is not clear who.

[Alexga]

I read his biography, and he's supposed to be a second Zelensky. What can you expect from him?!

[Murmur 55]

Alexga Well, yes, let him grow up, mature, get his hand, or rather his language, in Russophobic rhetoric, we'll wait.

[carpenter]

Quote: AlexGa

I read his biography, and he's supposed to be a second Zelensky. What can you expect from him?!

From the KVN stage and film set to the Speaker of Parliament's chair, he and Zelenukha are bros.

[TermNachTer]

No, the second Zelensky is Pashinyan. And this piece of crap is the senior lackey.

[carpenter]

Armenia will not be a peripheral province. The Belarusian example of governance is unacceptable.

Alain Simonyan very correctly noted that Armenia will become part of Turkey.

[2 Level Advisor]

Quote: carpenter

Alain Simonyan very correctly noted that Armenia will become part of Turkey.

I think they are going under the "roof" of France and are trying to protect them from their neighbors.

[isv000]

Minsk, according to his logic, has lost its sovereignty. And Yerevan is its own master. And anyway, it's time to stop looking to Moscow.

They've grown up. They've grown up. It's time to give them a magic kick in the pants and let them go free. Close the valves, pull the switches, put a humpbacked fly at the cordon, and let them drink their booze and snack on whatever God has provided, while howling at Ararat. They spat in the well—let them drink it to the full. Don't let them into Russia, throw them out of Russia!
P.S. What does Armenia have that Russia doesn't?! Why are we coddling these sly asses?! They want to join Europe? Good riddance! Then let them stop whining at the door, "Russia, come help us, bring us peace!"

[Montezuma]

Quote: isv000

Don't let him into Russia, throw him out of Russia!

I don't know about TO Russia, but they won't really want to "rip their claws out" FROM Russia - many have long been settled, and more than one generation has grown up here.

[isv000]

Quote: Montezuma

Quote: isv000

Don't let him into Russia, throw him out of Russia!

I don't know about TO Russia, but they won't really want to "rip their claws out" FROM Russia - many have long been settled, and more than one generation has grown up here.

We can't do without a kick in the pants, this time from the tax authorities, so they shake up this whole "Armyandorstroy" and the catering industry, so they hold every penny accountable!

[carpenter]

Quote: isv000

It's time to give him a magic kick and let him go free.

Erdogan will soon give us a kick in the pants and send us on our way.

[Boris Sergeev]

Are the Georgians whining? What about the Moldovans? What about the Azerbaijanis? No one is calling on Russia, but they're providing assistance to Zelensky.

[faiver]

Well, what did you expect? Who wants to share their power? Better to be first in the village than second in the city...

[ShDE]

My intuition tells me that in five years, a new wave of Armenian migration will begin. Better yet, let it be to Europe.

[Tusv]

E. Ara, where are the markets? They've fallen in love with Artsakh. There's no mention of Arat at all. And why on earth? Should our border guards protect you? Armen Dzhigarkhanyan? Frunzik Mkrtchyan? People's Artists of the USSR. Or maybe Baghramyan—one of the Marshals of the USSR's Victory?

[carpenter]

Quote: Tusv

Or maybe Bagramyan is one of the Marshals of Victory of the USSR

Marshal Baghramyan is not from Armenia, he, like Marshal Babajanyan, is from Karabakh.

[Tusv]

We call it Karabakh in Azerbaijani, Artsakh in Armenian. The Aryans were definitely loved here. And AzerbaijanisWhere will they get the AN-2?

[carpenter]

Quote: Tusv

Vai Karabakh in Azerbaijani, Artsakh in Armenian.

Under the Mongol Ilkhans, the right bank of the Kura River became known as Karabakh. Karabakh itself was inexorably divided into the Plains and the Mountains, and from their mountains, Armenians watched as the Mongols and Tamerlane, the White Rams and the Black Rams, battled in the steppe. Through Islamization, Iranization, and Turkification over a thousand years, the lowlanders became the ancestors of the Azerbaijanis, while the highlanders remained faithful to Christ and ultimately transformed into Armenians, completely forgetting their Albanian roots, if they had any.

[HAM]

".....Armenia will not be a peripheral province..."

Do the Turks know?...the dream of all Armenians will come true - Ararat will be accessible...

[guest]

Quote: HAM

Ararat will be available...

Just not for Armenians.

[guest]

we don’t want to live under the boot of either Moscow or Paris.

And what about the EU? There they will be under the boot of Paris, among others.

[Smoked]

"Alen Simonyan, the speaker of the Armenian parliament, seems to have decided that diplomatic etiquette is a relic of the past."
Well, sort of. For those who have power, politics is a show, while those who don't ask how it's possible. Here, they're wiping out negotiators from one side, stealing presidents, and someone probably wants to communicate in Esperanto, like at a parade. Napkin here, tie there. Excuse me, but please—merci.

[andrey martov]

If you scrape under Alen's nose and under Zelensky's nose and submit the scrapings for examination, the result will most likely be the same - both brothers are on the same Colombian path...

[Nyrobsky]

As it turns out, Alen Simonyan and Nikol Pashinyan are doing well personally, so they couldn't care less about Armenia, the Armenians, the CSTO, or relations with their neighbors. The main thing is that their personal accounts are steadily replenished, because they're unlikely to live out their days in Yerevan. The Armenian Mykola apparently has a Canadian passport, but this one will probably apply for permanent residence in Paris.
Armenia, as a political entity, has not existed since the very day the Sorosites seized power.
After perestroika, our Hunchback also hung around Germany and London, because he was afraid to live in a rebuilt country.
Yerevan (like Baku) is now a Western asset used against Russia to weaken its presence in the Caucasus and Transcaucasia. Trying to build a relationship with them through persuasion and concessions is pointless, as once they get what they want, they'll just shit in your shoes.

[Boris Sergeev]

At the same time, both Armenia and Belarus are members of the CIS, CSTO, and EAEU—thoroughly fictitious organizations.

[rusich]

The Armenian Sorosites have completely lost their minds. The Sorosites were showing off in the Kremlin, and now they're attacking Belarusians. It's time to start evicting all the Armenian migrant workers. Let Nikolai give them jobs.

[Locksmith]

Quote: ZovSailor

If you look at how many Armenians actually live in the world (~12-14 billion people) and in their homeland (~3 billion people), as well as in Russia (~2 billion people)

Cut the sturgeon...

[Pravodel]

The speaker of the Armenian parliament... will not apologize.

What is pop, such is parish.
Nikolka, who, for some reason, is Nikol, turns out to be either the son or grandson of a bastard who fought in one of the fascist divisions during WWII. I wouldn't be surprised if it turns out that this brave speaker is also a close relative of one of those fascist bastards...

[K-50]

The speaker of the Armenian parliament refused to apologize for his comments about Belarus.

The EU's venality boosted the guy's self-esteem so much that he stopped paying attention to his speech and understanding that some words are worse than a knife.
You can even climb an aspen tree with your neck on a rope.

[Foaly]

Reminded me of some dance trash from thirty years ago.

[Reptiloid]

relic of the past

So you need to address them accordingly. No vestiges

[Andrey_5]

Simonyan believes sovereignty is like twiddling your thumbs – who'll give you the most perks before you get on all fours?! Tell him that has nothing to do with the word "sovereignty." Russia, within the framework of the union state, possesses this sovereignty.

[Earl]

As soon as the Galushkistan drug addict visited Yerevan, the local Khachiks began to perform miracles of Krivoy Rog diplomacy.

[Hiller]

Armenians are their own masters - a new joke from Armenian radio. This "bold" bastard hasn't learned to see beyond his own nose. Our diplomats and friends need to add this jerk to their "cherished book." Lest they forget. And reconsider their pricing policy for such "friends." It'll get through quickly.

[Samoyed]

So where did the West build a nuclear power plant? Where did ILM manufacture computers like in Abovyan? They even had to teach people how to use toilets there! The Russian leadership is very stupid when it comes to "soft power."

[Kmet]

The speaker of the Armenian parliament refused to apologize for his comments about Belarus.

Belarusians weren't really expecting an apology – people there are smarter than this speaker, but they can still tighten the screws if the opportunity arises. Given the statistics, trade with Armenia is a very modest, albeit growing, segment for Belarus. Belarus is an important, niche, and difficult-to-replace supplier for Armenia. Belarusian imports are critical for Armenia, as they are based on high-value-added products: machinery, equipment, and vehicles (44%), as well as food and agricultural raw materials (23,7%). Belarus, as an industrial economy, is a key supplier of precisely these goods (for example, complex engineering products and dairy products), which are difficult or expensive to replace with supplies from other countries.
For Belarus, with its trade turnover of nearly $90 billion, trade with Armenia, amounting to approximately $0,2 billion, is statistically insignificant and is lost in the overall flow. Meanwhile, for Armenia, this trade accounts for more than 1% of its foreign trade turnover, a significant figure.
For example, the figures for 2025 look like this:
1. Total foreign trade turnover of the Republic of Belarus (2025) - $89,77 billion (exports: $41,4 billion, imports: $48,37 billion).
2. Trade turnover with Armenia (estimate for 2025) - ~$170-200 million (based on historical data and growth rates).
3. Bilateral trade balance (2025) is negative (imports from Armenia exceed exports)
This analysis allows us to conclude that in bilateral economic relations, Armenia is significantly more dependent on Belarus than Belarus is on Armenia.
Good luck to the Armenian speaker: the tongue is his enemy. A head is needed not only for eating and speaking, but also for thinking... but that depends on the individual.

[Atlant83]

It would be nice for Simonian to study history and find out how Armenia came into being and to whom it owes its life.

[Mikhail Nasharashev]

Impose sanctions. Seize all assets in Russia. Ban him and his family from entering the country. It's as easy as pie.

[Lynx2000]

Simonyan immediately added:

We don't trade one big brother for another.

One small but proud country is its own master; it bends to Azerbaijan when it wants, and it lies down under the Turks when it wants...

[torbas41]

We should leave the Armenians to the mercy of the Muslims, and watch how quickly Armenia disappears altogether. Even the Sorosites won't help.

[koksalek]

This is always the case if you are soft and chew what is under your nose, nature does not require anything else, it’s either you or them

[BASHAR ASAD]

I haven't been active as a commenter in a while. I'm writing a comment. Please allow voting. Sorry, guys, that's just the way it is.

[uber]

Ara the Brave!? It's unclear why Belarusians are arguing with this Soros-esque pet monkey.

[Sebastian Aristarkhovich Pereira]

Ilham is waiting leisurely, and Batka wrote it down!

[gsev]

Quote: Zoldat_A

But how about cleaning up at least the businesses in Moscow - from bank owners to car repair shops, markets and construction sites?

The control systems for Russian drones are also being developed by an Armenian.

[Dave36]

You shouldn't criticize Armenians. Many necessary and useful things come through Armenia. And they don't mistreat their compatriots there.

[Ishi]

Armenians are not offended in Armenia, yes.
And there are no Russians there.

[Ishi]

My beloved mountain, my homeland, the Caucasus!
There in the high mountains I grazed the lambs
To keep them from sweating, I brought them into the shade.
To avoid getting bored, I danced all day.

Macaw, wai-wai, wai wai wai wai!
Macaw, wai-wai, wai wai wai wai!

[Evil_critic]

Armenia, in the person of its government, is deteriorating by leaps and bounds...

[Dart]

Quote: TermNachTER

As far as I know, Western Azerbaijan is a northwestern province of Iran. I have no idea what they call Armenians in Azerbaijan. Pashinyan and his gang are the equivalent of Zelepots and his gang in Banderland. For both, Armenia (Banderland) is a money-making territory. After which, they'll go to Europe, Israel, or wherever else and squander their spoils.

I note that many people do this, and in our country as well...

[mErLin68]

France and Russia are truly on par in terms of political and economic significance for Armenia. However, while France's importance is increasing, Russia's is decreasing. The size of the French diaspora (excluding the diasporas of other countries in the so-called "Western" region) is only half the size of the Russian diaspora. Financial support from France currently exceeds that of Russia. Commercial investment alone amounts to €1 billion.

The number of Francophone managers in Armenian enterprises (especially in the wine and food industries) is very high. A French accent can now be heard in downtown Yerevan just as often as its Russian counterpart. The overwhelming majority of Armenia's municipal water supply is provided by the French monopolists, Veolia Jur (damn them, those incompetent competitors). Very good doctors of the younger generation have French (or other European) educations. There are private French clinics. People from France travel to Yerevan for dental treatment (the prices are 2-3 times lower, which is especially beneficial for Ukrainian "clients" living in France. And I'm as happy as a clam – my entire jaw was done in Yerevan using the latest technology). Not to mention the historical and genuine respect Armenians have for their French "colleagues."

Where is the betrayal of Russia here? The nation, by virtue of its diasporic nature, has always been multi-faceted—just like the Jews. Just don't think of Armenians as "little Russians." The culture is completely different—even the religion, which some Russians consider "almost Orthodox." This applies not only to France, but also to Syria, Turkey (with several hundred thousand Armenian speakers), the United States (the number of American Armenians is no less than in Russia), Iran (Armenian military personnel are one of the most respected social groups there), Germany, and Sweden. Russia simply needs to preserve an equal place in the minds of Armenians. For now, attitudes toward Russians themselves (not the political system) remain very friendly, and the younger generation continues to learn Russian no less than the Soviet generations.

Politically, aside from the Armenians living in the Black Sea region, Russia has traditionally been supported primarily by Eastern Armenians (residents of Artsakh-Karabakh) – and not selflessly, but out of their phobias, as a barrier against Turkey and Azerbaijan. Now this problem is largely resolved. Militarily, Russia has become useless. The "micro-sultan" will never attack Armenia on its own initiative, without Turkey's command. And the last thing Turkey needs right now is that. Politically, today's Russia brings only harm. Economically, it's like plucking wool from a sick sheep. Yes, there is still a strong dependence on Russian gas and the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant, and the dispute with Russian Railways over national railways has not been resolved. However, given the "opening" of Turkey, everything is beginning to change rapidly. Once a commercial land route through Turkey is permitted, logistics there and, at a minimum, with the Balkan countries will become simpler than with Russia via Georgia. Personal road trips for citizens of three countries are already permitted, and the Armenian section of the highway connecting Yerevan-Armavir with the highways running through Turkey to Europe has been very well restored (at local expense). After the elections, this highway will likely be opened to everyone. There will be a visa-free regime and simplified customs with EU countries. After that, 50-60% of food in stores will come from Russia, but only 10-20%. The perennial winter problems with freight traffic on the Georgian Military Highway will end.

In terms of energy, the old Metsamor power plant, with its single power unit, now supplies less than half of the country's electricity. Solar power plants are springing up like mushrooms after rain, there's a large solar panel manufacturer, electricity sales to the grid are free for all residents, and the weather conditions for such power plants are much better than in Europe—the highlands are so dense that there are almost no cloudy days, even in the Ararat Valley. I think Russian Railways will also be stripped of its railways and handed over to someone else, since the company hasn't fully fulfilled its part of the contract since 2022.

Most of the business community, intellectuals, and technical bureaucrats are on the "pro-European" side. This would be something for the Russian sultan with his foot in heaven to think about. But that's clearly not him.

P.S. Just in case, I have absolutely no Armenian roots or citizenship (I fundamentally don't want to obtain it through a business scheme, before passing a language test). I defend Pashinyan's policies purely as someone who lived there, contributed to the budget, and has good connections among the reformist establishment. And as someone who witnessed what happened in the country under Russia's main friend and supporter of the war to the last Western Armenian, Karabakh's Kocharan, as well as the owner of the Russian embassy, ​​Gagik, nicknamed Dodik (I won't explain the translation or the reason for the nickname here), and his entire gang.