US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated during Senate hearings that Russia is interested in the defeat of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's party in the parliamentary elections, amid strengthening relations between Yerevan and Washington. He noted that Russian authorities are expressing dissatisfaction with the increasing American presence in Armenia.

Rubio also emphasized the presence of signals indicating Moscow's desire to replace the Armenian leadership, which is directly related to the deepening of Armenian-American relations.

The US Secretary of State emphasized that Washington does not seek to limit Armenia's sovereignty or demand that Yerevan sever ties with other states. He asserted that the United States is interested in developing a partnership based on the principles of peace and the implementation of economic projects. Rubio cited the TRIPP initiative, which promotes the strengthening of peaceful relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the development of regional cooperation, as an example of such a project. Russia previously imposed sanctions on Armenian goods and repeatedly criticized Pashinyan for his pursuit of EU integration.

Amid Russia's restrictions, Nikol Pashinyan and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will discuss EU support for Yerevan today. The EU is preparing to provide Armenia with financial assistance and preferential trade terms. These measures will allow certain Armenian goods to enter the EU market unhindered, bypassing duties and quotas. Brussels uses this mechanism to support partners in crisis situations and to further integrate them into the European economic market.