Former Armenian President Intends to Run in Parliamentary Elections

Former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan announced his team's intention to run in the 2026 parliamentary elections. At a press conference, he noted that the 2021 election results demonstrated his influence and ability to consolidate a portion of the electorate.

Kocharyan expressed confidence that the re-election of incumbent Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is unlikely and warned the authorities against possible electoral fraud.

The former president also commented on Armenia's aspirations for EU membership, pointing to the government's failure to meet established criteria and the lack of logic in its current steps, including the creation of a new Department of European Integration within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Earlier, media reports surfaced of Kocharyan's meeting with Deputy Chief of Staff of the Russian Presidential Administration Sergei Kiriyenko, who has been called "the Kremlin's curator for Armenia."

As a reminder, in the 2021 parliamentary elections, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's Civil Contract party garnered 53.92% of the vote. Meanwhile, despite active support from the Kremlin, Robert Kocharyan's Armenia bloc received only 21.04%.

Последние новости
Armenian Prime Minister Does Not Rule Out International Court Over Railway Dispute with Russia
Politics
Armenian Prime Minister Does Not Rule Out International Court Over Railway Dispute with Russia
30 July 2026

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said Yerevan does not rule out taking its dispute with Russia over the management of the South Caucasus Railway to an international court if the issue cannot be resolved through negotiations. At the same time, he stressed that the Armenian authorities hope to settle the matter through talks.

Circassian Youth from Syria and Turkey Hold First Joint Meeting in Damascus Since Change of Power
Society
Circassian Youth from Syria and Turkey Hold First Joint Meeting in Damascus Since Change of Power
30 July 2026

Circassian youth from Syria and Turkey have held their first international gathering in Damascus since the change of power in the country, bringing together young members of the diaspora to strengthen cultural ties, foster dialogue, and discuss future cooperation.

Georgia Denies International Protection to 17 Ukrainians, Who Now Face Possible Deportation
Human rights
Georgia Denies International Protection to 17 Ukrainians, Who Now Face Possible Deportation
30 July 2026

Georgian authorities have denied international protection to 17 Ukrainian citizens who have spent nearly a year in the basement of the Dariali border crossing point (Upper Lars) on the Georgia–Russia border. Once the decisions take legal effect, they could be deported at any moment.

Fuel Crisis Reaches Abkhazia as Long Queues Form at Petrol Stations
Economy
Fuel Crisis Reaches Abkhazia as Long Queues Form at Petrol Stations
30 July 2026

Abkhazia is facing a sharp deterioration in its fuel supply, with long queues forming at major petrol stations in Sukhumi and other towns. Some filling stations have introduced a limit of 20 litres of petrol per vehicle. The de facto authorities acknowledge supply disruptions but insist they are temporary.