Armenian PM hails transit of Russian grain via Azerbaijan as historic milestone

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has described the delivery of Russian grain through Azerbaijani territory as a “major and significant event,” calling it a historic step in regional connectivity.

Pashinyan said the development marked a turning point in trade dynamics across the South Caucasus, as the first cargo shipments began rerouting through Azerbaijan, Caliber.Az reports per Armenian media.

“The situation is developing dynamically, with changes occurring every day,” Pashinyan said. “Initially, it was planned that the first train would come from Kazakhstan, but it later turned out that Azerbaijan was also offering the opportunity for cargo shipments from Russia.”

He noted that applications were now being processed for the export of certain categories of goods from Russia through the new route, signalling the gradual redistribution of trade flows to Armenia via Azerbaijani territory. “The originally planned train from Kazakhstan has not yet arrived,” he added.

Pashinyan also stressed the importance of ensuring two-way transit, suggesting that Armenia would soon explore how goods could be transported in the opposite direction. “Now we need to determine in practice how goods will be carried from Armenia,” he said.

Highlighting the broader significance of the initiative, the Armenian premier reiterated his government’s readiness to facilitate regional trade, including overland routes connecting Türkiye and Azerbaijan.

“I believe that a very significant and important event has taken place, and I would once again like to express our readiness to ensure the transit of lorries from Türkiye to Azerbaijan and back via the Margara–Kornidzor route,” Pashinyan said.

A train transporting 15 carriages of Russian grain has reached Armenia for the first time in 30 years, travelling through Azerbaijan and Georgia, according to the Armenian government.

"A train with Russian grain (15 cars) has arrived in Armenia, having traveled through Azerbaijan and Georgia. The lifting of restrictions on cargo transportation to Armenia is an important step for Azerbaijan toward restoring regional communications and developing economic cooperation," according to a statement posted on the cabinet’s Facebook page.

 By Aghakazim Guliyev