On May 20, Robert Kocharyan, the second President of Armenia and candidate for Prime Minister, stated during a meeting with residents of Kasakh that the current Armenian authorities are creating conditions under which the country’s security would become dependent on the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. He stressed that such assumptions are fundamentally mistaken, arguing that Aliyev does not dedicate his time to Armenia’s security concerns.

During the same meeting, Kocharyan addressed everyday issues affecting the population, including the closure of schools and passport offices, and pledged that, if given political responsibility, he would reverse measures that he said create constant inconvenience for citizens. He emphasized that security remains one of the central pillars of the "Armenia" bloc’s political agenda, underscoring that it must be reliably guaranteed.

Kocharyan stated, "Security must be guaranteed. The government's actions are creating a situation where the country's security will depend on the President of Azerbaijan, Aliyev. If you believe that he spends his days and nights thinking about our security, you are mistaken," adding that criticism directed at Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is often misinterpreted by the authorities as being orchestrated by opposition forces. He further remarked, "Whoever votes for Nikol votes for Aliyev," claiming that the current leadership fosters a toxic political environment through its internal circle.

The second president also accused the authorities of promoting what he described as negative political standards, including hysteria, misinformation, insults, and threats. He referred to alleged threats made against him and other opposition leaders and argued that such practices were being normalized in the political arena. Kocharyan urged the public to remain composed and called for a change in governance, stating, "We must move forward and, as soon as possible, rid ourselves of a government that propagates such norms. All of this is unacceptable. However, on June 7, there is an opportunity to put an end to it."

Speaking about the ongoing electoral campaign, Kocharyan assessed that the "Civil Contract" party relies on escalating tensions, threats, and misuse of administrative resources, while noting a growing public interest in the "Armenia" bloc.

During a separate interaction with residents of Proshyan, Kocharyan reiterated claims regarding an audio recording circulated by government representatives, including National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan, in which he is allegedly heard asking the President of Russia for assistance in leaving Armenia. He rejected the authenticity of the recording, insisting that no such conversation ever took place and suggesting it may have been artificially generated. "The President of Russia never speaks over an open line," Kocharyan stated, dismissing the allegations and questioning their credibility.

He also commented on shifts in Pashinyan’s rhetoric toward Russia, suggesting inconsistency and implying that the Prime Minister alternates between criticism and assurances of good relations depending on political circumstances. Kocharyan further argued that such behavior could harm Armenia’s international standing, noting that relations with major powers require a consistent and responsible approach.

Addressing another meeting in Proshyan, Kocharyan described the current administration as one led by "provocateurs," criticizing what he called a gap between pre-election promises and actual governance outcomes. He argued that the "Civil Contract" party’s 2021 program was largely unfulfilled and questioned the legitimacy of renewed electoral appeals under such conditions.

He also responded to interruptions during his speech, attributing them to organized provocations, and reiterated that his political record should be assessed based on the state of the country before and after his presidency. Kocharyan stated, "They will attempt to derail us. The authorities are provocateurs from head to toe—led by a provocateur. This man provoked the 44-day war, sabotaged the negotiation process, instigated and subsequently lost the war; and now he claims that he 'thought differently back then' than he does now."

Concluding his remarks, Kocharyan dismissed speculation about a parliamentary role, stating that he identifies primarily as an executive figure and remains focused on achieving electoral victory. He added that while generational change would be welcome, political polling suggests his leadership offers the strongest prospects for success, emphasizing, "I still have plenty of fight left in me."