Media: Russia may refrain from congratulating Pashinyan on election victory

Russia may choose not to formally congratulate Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his victory in Armenia’s June 7 parliamentary elections, according to Armenian newspaper Hraparak.

Citing diplomatic sources, the newspaper said Moscow could limit its response to merely acknowledging the election results rather than issuing an official congratulatory message.

According to the report, the Kremlin has not yet publicly congratulated Pashinyan, in contrast to several Western leaders who reportedly sent messages of congratulations shortly after the election results emerged.

The newspaper suggested that such a move could reflect Russia’s dissatisfaction with Pashinyan’s policies toward Moscow and the broader trajectory of Armenian-Russian relations.

“Diplomatic sources do not rule out that Russia may not recognise the results of the elections held in Armenia on June 7. So far, the Kremlin has not officially congratulated Pashinyan, unlike the leaders of several Western countries, who sent congratulatory messages even before the ink on the election protocols had dried,” Hraparak wrote.

The publication also cited sources as saying that Moscow’s decision, if confirmed, would be intended to signal its position regarding the Armenian government’s approach to bilateral ties.

“It is obvious that Pashinyan will do everything to smooth over differences and restore relations—if only to avoid economic damage. But it is difficult to say how the Russian president will behave,” the newspaper wrote.

Hraparak further claimed that comments made in Russia regarding the conduct of the Armenian elections, including references to alleged voting irregularities, could indicate a reluctance by Moscow to fully endorse the outcome.

By Sabina Mammadli