Armenian PM proposes selling railway management to Russia-friendly nation

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has proposed that Russia transfer the concessionary management of Armenia’s railways to a country maintaining friendly relations with both Yerevan and Moscow.

The suggestion comes amid ongoing discussions over regional transport routes under the TRIPP project, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

During a briefing, Pashinyan noted that some actors advocate bypassing Armenia on key regional routes, citing the fact that Armenian railways are currently under Russian management. He stressed that while Russia manages the railways, they remain Armenian property, and Yerevan has no intention of acting against Moscow.

“Russia, in our view, does not want and will not create any obstacles for our regional projects. I have discussed this with the President of Russia, and he supports these initiatives,” Pashinyan said.

The Prime Minister added that growing concerns among Western, Eastern, Southern, and even Northern countries about Russian management have increased support for alternative transit routes. He emphasised that the situation should be transparently communicated to Russian partners.

Pashinyan suggested that a country with strong diplomatic ties to both Armenia and Russia—such as Kazakhstan, the UAE, Qatar, or another friendly nation—could acquire the concessionary rights from Moscow. Such a transfer, he argued, could help Armenia regain strategic positioning and competitive advantages in regional connectivity.

By Vugar Khalilov