Armenian defence minister off to US on working visit

A delegation headed by Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan left for the United States on a working visit, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

Nothing is reported about the agenda of the visit and planned meetings.

Notably, in 2024, Armenia's defence cooperation with the United States intensified amid growing tensions with Russia. Armenia held military exercises under the Eagle Partner program, involving Armenian peacekeeping forces, US Army Europe and Africa, and the Kansas National Guard.

These drills, aimed at enhancing interoperability for international peacekeeping missions, were conducted in July 2024. The exercises, which lasted until July 24, were significant as they coincided with Armenia's distancing from Moscow, which has historically been its primary ally.

However, the Eagle Partner 2024 exercises were met with condemnation from Russia, which criticized Armenia's increasing engagement with Western military powers. Moscow expressed strong disapproval of the joint drills, claiming they undermine the established security cooperation between Yerevan and Moscow.

Moscow also viewed Armenia's participation in such drills as a departure from the collective security framework provided by Russia-led organizations like the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

By Khagan Isayev