On July 6, during a working visit to Russia, Nikol Pashinyan, the Prime Minister of Armenia, arrived in Yekaterinburg, where he was welcomed at Koltsovo Airport by Yekaterinburg Mayor Alexei Orlov. Pashinyan later attended the plenary session titled "Industry 360. Production without Borders", held as part of the INNOPROM-2026 international industrial exhibition. The session brought together Mikhail Mishustin, the Prime Minister of Russia, Alexander Turchin, the Prime Minister of Belarus, Olzhas Bektenov, the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, and Adylbek Kasymaliev, the Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan. Before the discussions, the heads of government toured the exhibition pavilions and reviewed the industrial products on display.

Addressing the plenary session, Pashinyan thanked Mishustin for the invitation and praised the organization of the exhibition, describing INNOPROM as an important platform for presenting advanced industrial technologies and expanding business cooperation. He stated that global industrial development is undergoing structural transformation driven by science, digitalization, artificial intelligence, and data analytics. Pashinyan emphasized that Armenia's industrial sector has maintained stable growth in recent years. Industrial output increased by 4.7% in 2025 compared to the previous year, while production rose by 13% during the first four months of 2026 compared to the same period of 2025. He noted that the country's manufacturing sector has doubled over the past nine years, while the expansion of microelectronics, biopharmaceuticals, and robotics has increased demand for scientific research, modernization of professional education, and the development of a more advanced labor market.

According to Pashinyan, one of Armenia's main industrial policy priorities is the creation of knowledge-intensive industries through digitalization, artificial intelligence, data analysis, and process optimization. He stated that these efforts are expected to improve investment attractiveness, accelerate technology transfer, and promote the production of high-value-added goods. He added that Armenia's innovation strategy aims to ensure sustainable growth by integrating with global technological trends and strengthening the country's position in the international high-tech sector. Pashinyan also noted that recent large-scale investments reflect growing confidence in Armenia as a reliable long-term partner in high technologies. Highlighting regional cooperation, Pashinyan stated that industry remains one of the key drivers of development within the Eurasian Economic Union. He emphasized that the financial support mechanism for cooperative projects has become an effective instrument for advancing integration, increasing industrial competitiveness among member states, and promoting mutually beneficial cooperation. According to him, Armenian companies are already participating in several joint industrial projects with EAEU partners. Concluding his remarks, Pashinyan stressed that technological progress should continue to serve people, emphasizing that "Technologies are designed not to replace a person, but to free him from everyday monotonous work, thereby opening up new horizons for intellectual and creative activity."

Later the same day, Pashinyan held talks with Mishustin in Yekaterinburg to discuss bilateral cooperation. During the meeting, Mishustin welcomed Pashinyan on his first foreign visit following Armenia's parliamentary elections on June 7. He expressed confidence that the new Armenian Government would continue developing bilateral relations "in the spirit of friendship, good neighborliness, mutual respect and consideration of each other's interests." Mishustin stated that Russia remains Armenia's largest foreign trade partner and investor despite global economic challenges. He noted that Russian companies continue operating in Armenia's mining, mechanical engineering, transport infrastructure, energy sector, including peaceful nuclear energy, and digital economy. He emphasized the importance of maintaining favorable conditions for Russian investors and protecting their legal rights and interests. Mishustin added that bilateral cooperation continues under the supervision of the intergovernmental commission, co-chaired on the Russian side by Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk. Referring to the INNOPROM exhibition, he expressed confidence that Armenian and Russian businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, would identify new opportunities for joint projects and industrial cooperation. He also highlighted the importance of expanding cultural, educational, youth, and regional exchanges through cultural days, exhibitions, festivals, conferences, and other humanitarian initiatives.

Responding to Mishustin, Pashinyan congratulated the Russian Government on the successful organization of the exhibition and thanked him for the invitation. He described the meeting as a timely opportunity to review the full bilateral agenda following Armenia's parliamentary elections. Pashinyan acknowledged that "Some problematic issues have recently emerged" in bilateral relations but emphasized Armenia's commitment to constructive dialogue aimed at resolving them. He reaffirmed Armenia's intention to further develop relations with Russia and reiterated the country's commitment to its membership in the Eurasian Economic Union. Pashinyan stated that Armenia remains interested in ensuring that the mechanisms established under the EAEU Treaty continue to function effectively, expressing hope that the discussions would help resolve outstanding issues and clarify all remaining nuances.