Pashinyan explained that his visit to Moscow on May 9 is within the framework of a "balanced policy"

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called the opposition's critical remarks about his visit to Moscow on May 9 to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War inappropriate. He recalled the government's theses on a "balanced policy", where relations with some are not built at the expense of ties with others.

"The Armenian authorities have never said that they will not visit Russia or develop relations with it, and I do not understand such comments. There has never been a logic behind this policy that we will not deepen ties with the Russian Federation or build them at the expense of Armenian-Russian relations," the prime minister emphasized.

Earlier, Chairman of the Armenian Parliament Alen Simonyan accused Russia of waging a hybrid war against Armenia.

"A hybrid war is being waged against Armenia, and it periodically intensifies. It involves Russian experts with Armenian surnames, they are trying to change the government, announce rallies,” Simonyan noted.

Recently, Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan signed a law on the beginning of the process of the country's accession to the European Union. In early January, the law on Armenia's accession to the EU was approved by the country's government, and in late March - by the parliament. Let us also recall that, according to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the adoption of the law does not mean the country's automatic accession to the European Union - the final decision can only be made in a referendum.

Последние новости
Georgia again rejected calls to join anti-Russian sanctions
Politics
Georgia again rejected calls to join anti-Russian sanctions
25 February 2026

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze criticized Brussels' demands to join sanctions against Russia. He said these calls were inappropriate, given that the EU itself is a major importer of Russian products.

Ruben Vardanyan Drops Appeal Against 20-Year Sentence in Azerbaijan
Human rights
Ruben Vardanyan Drops Appeal Against 20-Year Sentence in Azerbaijan
25 February 2026

Billionaire and former Nagorno-Karabakh state minister Ruben Vardanyan, sentenced in Baku to 20 years in prison, rejected the legal force of the ruling and dropped his appeal. His family explained that this decision stemmed from the fact that, in their view, the trial was a "staged performance" rather than a proper trial: the hearings were held behind closed doors, without access to independent observers, and the prosecution's motions were ignored. The full text of the verdict was also not released.

Azerbaijani political prisoners appeal to the European Commission to address human rights in the country
Human rights
Azerbaijani political prisoners appeal to the European Commission to address human rights in the country
25 February 2026

A group of imprisoned activists and journalists from Baku's Penal Colony No. 2 has appealed to the President of the European Commission. They demand the implementation of European Parliament resolutions calling for the release of Azerbaijani political prisoners.

Chechnya Leads in Lowest Alcohol Sales
Economy
Chechnya Leads in Lowest Alcohol Sales
25 February 2026

In 2025, residents of the North Caucasus regions consumed the least amount of hard liquor in Russia. The lowest official retail sales figures were recorded in Chechnya (0.01 liters per capita). Other republics of the North Caucasus Federal District also demonstrated modest figures: Ingushetia - 0.7 liters, Dagestan - 2.2 liters, Kabardino-Balkaria - 2.6 liters, North Ossetia - 3 liters, and Karachay-Cherkessia - 3.4 liters. Experts attribute this decline to the prevalence of cultural and religious restrictions, as well as a preference for low-alcohol beverages.