On 24 January, the leader of the ruling My Step faction in Armenia Lilith Makunts confirmed the speculations about her being appointed as the Armenian ambassador to the USA. 

Asked if she has the relevant experience as a diplomat, even though she is fluent in English, Makunts said the following: “Like all countries, the appointments of Armenia’s ambassadors are diplomatic and political. There is no restriction for a political appointment. As far as my experience is concerned, I believe it has been public within the circles of parliamentary diplomacy. Experience is extremely important, but it doesn’t play the primary role in certain cases.”

The first person who launched this speculation was the son in law of Armenia’s former President Serzh Sargsyan and Armenia’s former ambassador to Vatican Mikayel Minasyan. “Makunts, known for being Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s English teacher, has only one merit – Nikol believes in her unconditionally. That is why, sending her to the United States, he decided to kill two birds with one stone: to rescue her from a sinking ship and use her in a dirty game between the two superpowers [Russia and the US],” he wrote. 

A few days earlier, the nominee of USA’s President Joe Biden for the Secretary of State post Antony Blinken stated that the US should boost Armenia’s security and step up its involvement in the Nagorno-Karabakh negotiating process to help prevent another war in the region. “I support the provision to Armenia of security assistance and aid to strengthen democratic governance and promote economic growth, both of which will help to strengthen Armenia’s security and resilience,” Blinken wrote. “If confirmed, I look forward to working with Congress and the Secretary of Defense to determine the appropriate level of assistance to meet the security needs of Armenia and the region,” he added. “If confirmed, I will reinvigorate US engagement to find a permanent settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict that protects the security of Nagorno-Karabakh and helps to ensure another war does not break out,” he further emphasised. 

Blinken also said that he would review the US security assistance to Azerbaijan as well. “In light of the recent outbreak of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh, the Biden-Harris administration will review our security assistance to Azerbaijan. If the circumstances warrant, the Biden-Harris administration will be prepared to suspend waivers of requirements under section 907 of the Freedom Support Act,” he said.

Immediately after Blinken's statement, the US Ambassador to Armenia Lynn Tracy published an article in which an early political solution to the Karabakh issue problem was expressed. “The United States reaffirms its call for the immediate return of the prisoners. We condemn conflict-related atrocities. All those responsible must be held accountable. Despite the cessation of fighting, a political solution to the status of Nagorno-Karabakh is important for strengthening regional peace and stability. Together with our Armenian friends and partners, we will overcome challenges, defend our common values, promote democracy and the rule of law, paving the way for a bright future for all of us,” she wrote.  

Prior to Bilken’s statements, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) congratulated Joe Biden on his inauguration and suggested a number measures which his administration needs to undertake, including a $250 million humanitarian assistance package for Nagorno-Karabakh; suspension of all US military and security assistance to Azerbaijan and Turkey; the denial of all new arms-export licenses to both Azerbaijan and Turkey; US sanctions towards Azerbaijan and Turkey; launching an investigation into US parts in Azerbaijani drones during the Nagorno-Karabakh war; and an upgraded strategic partnership between US and Armenia focused on concrete economic and military cooperation.