Armenia braces for election as Russia piles pressure on pro-West government

Article excerpt

Armenia holds parliamentary elections with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan seeking a third term despite eroding domestic support, as Russia escalates pressure on his government's westward pivot. Pashinyan has steered the country away from its traditional Russian ally toward closer ties with the European Union and NATO, a dramatic shift that has angered Moscow and complicated Armenia's security situation in a volatile region. The timing is precarious: Armenia faces ongoing tensions with neighboring Azerbaijan and has grown increasingly isolated as its largest military backer signals disapproval. Voters must decide whether to continue Pashinyan's pro-Western course or revert to Russia's orbit, a choice with profound implications for Armenia's geopolitical future and its defense capabilities.