On January 16, Gagik Melkonyan, the Armenian National Assembly Defense Committee member, reported that a set of Russian weapons had been delivered to Armenia. Although the specific details of the weapons were not provided, Melkonyan stated that the delivery occurred recently and is part of an agreement signed between Moscow and Yerevan.

On the same day, Andranik Kocharyan, the chairman of the Defense Committee of the Armenian Parliament, also confirmed the resumption of arms supplies from Russia to Armenia. He acknowledged that there had been deliveries but noted that they had not met the expected volumes based on signed contracts and logistical considerations. Kocharyan expressed confidence that the issue would be resolved in due course.

Notably, last December, the Russian ambassador to Armenia indicated ongoing discussions regarding new agreements on military-technical cooperation with Yerevan. Historically, Russia has been a major supplier of arms and ammunition to Armenia. However, strained relations between Yerevan and Moscow, particularly amid the prolonged conflict in Ukraine, prompted Armenia to seek alternative sources of weapons supplies.

Russian Official Emphasizes Importance of Maintaining Strong Ties for Armenia's Stability

Notably, in an interview with Sputnik Radio on January 16, Konstantin Kosachev, the Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federation Council, expressed his views on Russia's current relationship with Armenia, acknowledging a negative trend but attributing it to temporary circumstances.

Kosachev noted the observable negative dynamics, emphasizing the perceived distance between the current leadership of Armenia and Russia. However, he believes this distancing is a temporary phase for Armenia, as sustaining normal and good-neighborly relations with Russia is crucial for its well-being.

Kosachev dismissed the notion that Armenia could rely on support from new Western allies, deeming such hopes illusions. He stressed the importance of maintaining strong ties with Russia for Armenia's stability, implying that the strategic partnership between the two nations will likely endure despite the current challenges. The deputy chairman expressed confidence that the temporary negative dynamics in the relationship will eventually shift, emphasizing the significance of the historical and geopolitical connections between Russia and Armenia.

Key Security Concerns Discussed in Armenian-Russian Diplomatic Exchange

The Armenian Embassy in Russia disclosed information about the meeting between the Armenian Ambassador to Russia, Vagharshak Harutyunyan, and Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mikhail Galuzin. The statement says that the meeting was organized at the Armenian side's initiative and covered issues on regional security matters.  

It highlights that Ambassador Harutyunyan briefed his interlocutor on the recent developments in the normalization process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Additionally, he conveyed concerns about the recent statements from Baku.

The ambassador underscored the core principles that form the foundation of Armenia's stance, including mutual respect for territorial integrity, the border delimitation process grounded in the latest maps of the former USSR, and the unblocking of regional communications under sovereignty and jurisdiction, with principles of reciprocity and equality. 

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