Former President Robert Kocharyan again sharply criticized Armenia’s foreign policy course, warning that the country is attempting an impossible balancing act between major powers at the expense of its core security interests.

Speaking in Vayk as the “Hayastan” bloc’s candidate for prime minister, Kocharyan argued that Armenia’s security environment is shaped by long-standing regional competition among Russia, Turkey, and Iran. In this context, he said, Russia remains indispensable for Armenia’s ability to counterbalance Turkey.

“Russia is the only country that can neutralize Turkey’s influence. Armenia needs to balance and restrain Turkey’s influence, which is impossible without Russia. There is no other country in the world that is capable of this,” Kocharyan stated.

He also accused the current authorities of damaging ties with Moscow despite the country’s deep economic dependence on Russia. “Russia is Armenia’s main economic partner, and the well-being of 80 percent of Armenia’s population directly depends on these relations,” he said, adding that recent Russian statements toward Armenia had become unusually harsh.

Kocharyan warned that continued policy shifts could lead to economic and political consequences, referring to repeated warnings from Russian officials. “They directly say: ‘come to your senses, there will be problems, don’t do that,’” he said, adding that Armenia should not underestimate Moscow’s reactions to geopolitical realignments.

Criticizing Armenia’s engagement with other partners, he pointed to a recent strategic partnership document with Lithuania. “It will not work to sit on two chairs,” Kocharyan said. “If relations with Lithuania are more important to you than relations with Russia, then make your choice.”

He further warned that Armenia risks being drawn into broader global confrontations if it stays on its current trajectory. “The course must be changed, but they are not able to do this. So those in power must be changed. The problems will be solved when these people are removed,” Kocharyan concluded.