Pashinian notified Russian President Vladimir Putin of that decision in a March 14 phone call. The move underscored what observers see as the Armenian government’s efforts to ease tensions with Moscow. The government signaled such plans earlier amid an unfolding thaw in U.S.-Russian relations.
During the government’s question-and-answer session in the parliament, Pashinian was asked by a pro-government lawmaker to comment on suggestions that his attendance of the Red Square parade will damage Armenia’s ties with the West.
“We have publicly stated that we have adopted a balanced and balancing foreign policy that does not involve building relations at the expense of other relations,” he replied. “And the logic of that policy is not that we will not have visits to Russia and will not develop and deepen relations with Russia. I do not understand those comments.”
Pashinian went on to stress the importance of the victory anniversary and say that its celebration will also be an opportunity to discuss “bilateral” issues with foreign leaders. He said he expects to have such “contacts” during the visit to Moscow but did not elaborate.
Pashinian’s government had minimized diplomatic contacts with Moscow and reoriented its foreign policy towards the West since 2022, causing an unprecedented rift between Armenia and Russia. As recently as in late December, Pashinian skipped meetings in Saint Petersburg of the leaders of Russia and other ex-Soviet states after ostensibly testing positive for the coronavirus.
One of Pashinian’s top political allies, parliament speaker Alen Simonian, said on Monday that the Armenian premier may “get sick with COVID” again and skip the Moscow parade as well.