Will Armenia Be The Next Victim Of Western-Backed Regime Change?

[Swordsmyth]

Tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in all major cities across Armenia as the outgoing president, Serzh Sargsyan, is elected Prime Minister by the Parliament.

The move is largely perceived as a power grab, as Sargsyan will largely retain the same powers that he held during his two terms in the Presidential capacity.
This move takes place just after Armenia’s April 9th transition from a presidential system to that of a prime ministerial one.

Western backed Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been heavily involved in post Soviet Armenia’s education system, community and charity works. These NGOs have been selling the public on the perception that Armenia’s economic woes are directly the result of their corrupt, Russia friendly government, as well as Russia itself.
Hence, the concept that Sargsyan’s government has only made matters for the population worse is the grievance upon which much of the unrest hinges. With Sargsyan seen as being in bed with the Russians, and his further development of Armenia’s ties with Russia, these protests therefore possess a potentially disastrous outcome, both domestically, for the Armenians, and also geopolitically, as it threatens Russia’s position in the region.

However, Armenia has been playing both sides of the fence in recent years, as it has additionally been moving closer to the European Union, signing itself to a Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement with the European bloc, attempting to deepen diplomacy and economic ties with the West, while simultaneously making commitments to Russia’s economic initiatives in the region. Russia gets a villainous wrap over the fact that Russia is playing both sides of the Nagorno Karabakh-Azerb conflict, as Russia is the benefactor of both players, the common perception, derived from the propaganda of these NGOs, is that Russia benefits by stoking the conflict.
The situation, in effect, represents a powder keg scenario, with all the elements in place to provoke the necessary popular discontent that would play into an attempt at regime change.
And, indeed, this situation has all the markings of a color revolution, as the ring leader for this movement, Nikol Pashinyan, is already calling it a “velvet revolution”, an allusion to the regime change that took place in Czechoslovakia in 1989.
Pashinyan has called upon protesters to obstruct roadways and prevent the opening of governmental offices, and has been so bold as to declare that the Armenian government “no longer holds legitimacy”, and that all government agencies and police personnel should only be obedient to “committees” appointed by his revolution.
Keep in mind, however, that Sargsyan hasn’t, thus far, broken any law, nor violated the Armenian constitution, so, Pashinyan’s claim against Sargsyan’s legitimacy can only be viewed as a baseless instigation for further violence and an obstinate unwillingness to look for a middle ground scenario, or peaceful resolution to the situation at hand. An unwillingness to compromise satisfies one of the key factors that is commonly seen in many color revolutions.
The typical manner in which Western backed color revolutions unfold is when a peaceful protest about legitimate grievances are hijacked to become the catalyst for a violent revolution. If we consider the EuroMaidan revolution that took place in 2014, a peaceful protest turned violent after the slaughter of the “heavenly hundred” by mystery snipers, killing police and protesters both, in order to help the conflict along to a point of no return to peace.
To date, the situation on the streets of Yerevan seems to be going in a similar direction, as the protests have already turned semi violent, with police officers sustaining knife wounds. Note that this sort of behaviour is foreign to the Armenian psyche. Western provocateurs are often present to stir up mayhem when these tragedies occur.

More at: https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-...-regime-change

[goldenequity]

Armenia today:

https://twitter.com/uunionnews/statu...21481983676418


(this is Soros sponsered)

Armenian PM suspends talks with opposition leader
http://tass.com/world/1001157

a political force that "garnered 7-8% in the election, has no right to talk on behalf of the people"

YEREVAN, April 22. /TASS/. Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan walked out of talks with opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan on Sunday, a TASS correspondent reported.

The meeting was held at Marriott Armenia hotel on the central square of Yerevan - the Republic Square.
Protesters gathered outside the building chanting slogans against Sargsyan.

"The political force, which garnered 7-8% in the election, has no right to talk on behalf of the people,"
Sargsyan said, noting that talking to him in this tone was unacceptable.

The Armenian prime minister called on the opposition leader to honor the law and left the meeting room.
"What you offer is blackmail. You can’t blackmail the state," he said, leaving the hotel.

Pashinyan said: "You don’t understand the situation in the republic."
At the meeting, the opposition leader said he would talk only about Sargsyan’s resignation.

Sunday’s talks were aimed at defusing tensions after the protests carried out by the opposition in the past days.

When heading to the talks, Pashinyan said the meeting would focus on the prime minister’s resignation and a peaceful transition of power.

The protesters voiced discontent at Sargsyan, who had been the president for 10 years, remained in power as the prime minister.
They are demanding his resignation.

The agreement on talks between the authorities and the opposition was reached after a meeting between Armenia’s new President Armen Sarkissian and Pashinyan.

On Saturday, the prime minister called on Pashinyan to hold talks, but he rejected the offer and reiterated his demands.
Dozens of political and public organizations in Armenia backed the premier and called for the use political tools to resolve the crisis in the country.

Mass rallies kicked off in Yerevan and other Armenian cities on Monday in the wake of former President Serzh Sargsyan’s nomination for the post of prime minister,
despite the opposition’s protest.
On Tuesday, the Armenian parliament elected Sargsyan as the prime minister. On Thursday, the opposition tried to disrupt the meeting of the new Cabinet,
blocking the entrance to the government buildings and marching across Yerevan. Later, some 3,000 people took part in a rally.

[goldenequity]

LIVE protest here:





==========

BREAKING
Detained #Armenia opposition leader #Pashinyan appears released on live broadcast.
Scores of unarmed soldiers join protests in #Yerevan.

They just released the opposition leader to calm down people


Armenia recap:

1. The President of Armenia, the Prime Minister, the Vice PM, the President of Nagorno Karabakh, and Catholicos Karekin II all met up a while ago.

2. The Vice PM met up with Pashinyan, leader of the opposition.

3. Pashinyan has been released.

==========

BREAKING: The Prime Minister of Armenia has resigned amid protests

Maidan 2.0 in its early stages.
Hopefully the Armenians don't hesitate and waver the way Yanukovych did
when faced with Team Neocon's "color revolution" and "protests."

[Swordsmyth]

Armenia's opposition leader has demanded a snap parliamentary election in the wake of former Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan's resignation over widespread anti-government demonstrations.
Nikol Pashinyan told a rally on Monday in Armenia's capital, Yerevan, he is "ready to discuss conditions of Sargsyan's resignation and transfer of power".
"The National Assembly shall be entitled to nominate candidates for prime minister within a week. Until then, an interim government will be formed, after that snap extraordinary parliamentary elections are needed," Pashinyan said, according to Armenia's Armenpress news agency.

More at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/...mpression=true

[Swordsmyth]

Hmmmmmm.......

[timosman]

Hmmmmmm.......

We are everywhere making sure the chips fall the right way. It would be criminally irresponsible to let people decide. They may make bad choices. Our choices are carefully vetted and taking into account geopolitics. One of the most prominent examples of our excellent work is installing Shah of Iran in 1953. Blowback? What blowback?

[goldenequity]

There's no doubt good ol fashion corruption
plays a valid role in the dissent
across yet another Soviet satellite state like Ukraine, like Azerbaijan, like Georgia....
important ONLY because of their geographic location on Russia's border and pipeline routes etc. etc.
.
The satellite spin offs, together w/ Turkey have always been NATO targets in the larger strategy against Russia.

Can't blame the Armenian ma and pa for wanting to dump an oligarch sucking their Country dry.
At the same time... their 'genocide' reminds them that the 'West' is NOT (and never will be) their friend. Shalom.
That hasn't stopped the NATO playbook... using NGOs and coups to gain control... like Ukraine, like Georgia.
Azerbaijan is infested with US/EU/Israeli oil/gas interests.... Armenia remains a thorn in their hegemonic butt.
To assume anything OTHER than their salivation over infiltrating/controlling the 'genuine' dissent
would be naive.
Maidan 2.0 is an accurate analogy.
I'm sure Yerevan is CRAWLING with spy vs spy agents and $$$ right now.
Footnote:
last time I checked the Armenia/Russian alliance was rock solid till 2025.
at least 5-8,000 Russian troops have their own base (remember the 'Russian soldier' rape outrage incident bout a year ago...)
and Iskanders are there with drones & gunships to secure against any ambitions Turkey might have.



If you want to do some homework you can research the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute and 1990s war w/ Azerbaijan.
Just another 'frozen conflict' compliments of the UN..... still simmering in the background.
Just like Transnistria. Just like they'd like to do with Syria.


Here's hoping Armenians get a genuine reformer. Good luck.

[goldenequity]

President Assad and First Lady host Armenian delegation from Aleppo, on the eve of #ArmenianGenocide remembrance day.


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dbg2SSrWsAAPxBy.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dbg2UHEXkAIUZwX.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dbg2UtrWkAAddsz.jpg

[goldenequity]

op-ed
Armenia Heats Up as the Proxy War Continues
https://russia-insider.com/en/armeni...tinues/ri23259

Armenia is an important part Russia’s long-term plans.
A member of the Eurasian Economic Union Armenia is key to protecting Russia’s southern flank.



So, I was not shocked back in 2016 when the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh was activated by the U.S.
after a brief visit by then Secretary of State John Kerry as punishment for Russia’s intervention into Syria.

Nagorno-Karabakh had been peaceful for more than twenty years before Kerry’s visit.
And within days, fighting broke out on the Azeri side of the region which lies between the two countries.

So, color me not shocked that as the Neoconservatives take control of the Trump White House
that they activate a color revolution in Armenia while simultaneously pushing Russia in Ukraine, Syria, the U.K.,
the financial markets and seemingly everywhere else at the same time.

The story at Zerohedge this morning gives us the political picture, former president Serzh Sargsyan,
was elected as Prime Minister creating the facade of a transfer of power.
This sparked protests which grew to a point where Sargsyan had to resign.

Color Revolutions created by western NGOs stoke mild opposition to a sitting government
and turns it into a lynch mob by escalating the violence in the streets.

Why would Armenians now begin trashing Turkish stores in Aleppo (that’s right in Syria) over an internal Armenian political matter?

Because it’ll give Turkish President Erdogan an excuse to finish the Armenian genocide
(which Erdogan and Israel refuse to acknowledge happened)
his predecessors started a hundred years ago.

And the hope is that this provocation will drive a wedge between Turkey and Russia
at a time when everyone’s nerves are frayed to the point of breaking.

Turkey announces over the weekend it is repatriating all of its gold from the Federal Reserve vaults in New York.

Iran announces it no longer accepts dollars in its business dealings and switches to the euro for international trade,
in preparation for Trump decertifying the JCPOA and re-establishing sanctions from 2012 which includes SWIFT expulsion again.

If Armenia’s government falls here there will be an immediate push to get them into NATO
and create an absolute nightmare in the region.

So, that puts everyone in a bind because Russia has to continue backing the existing government
with which it shares a very strategic military integration.
Remember, Armenia is a member of the CSTO and has a joint military command agreement with Moscow.

So, this coup attempt at this point in time is quite a cynical and inflammatory move in the wake of Azeri elections
which sees Russian-Azeri relations continue improving.
The latest being a commitment to triple Azeri exports to Russia over the next few years.

Russia has skillfully managed its relationship with both Turkey and Armenia under Putin.
Armenia is obviously the more important of the two strategically
since it protects Russia’s southern flank.

And a stable Armenia means a much slower flow of ‘terrorists’ coming into Russia.

The goal of Syria, among other things, is the creation of a failed state and terrorist stronghold to destabilize the region,
including Iraq, Iran and Turkey,
but with the ultimate goal of bleeding Russia white over time.

And as each domino falls, the harder it is for Russia to defend its positions in the former Soviet republics.
This is why Putin has been so focused on developing stronger defense and economic ties with these countries.
He’s been skillful in his diplomacy with Ukbezistan, for example, after the death of its long-time leader Karimov in September of 2016.

The same can be said for how he and Iranian President Rouhani have handled relations with Azerbaijan,
despite the open wound of Nagorno-Karabakh.




So, as things ratchet up in Armenia, the question over the next few days
will be whether the removal of long-time Russian ally Sargsyan from Armenia politics
will be enough to dissipate the current anger.

I don’t know but I do know that this situation will be escalated a la the Maidan in Kiev if it begins to flag in intensity.

[Swordsmyth]

Tens of thousands of opposition supporters surged into the central square of the Armenian capital again on Wednesday, calling for the leader of their protests to become prime minister as the country labored through a dramatic political crisis.

The Kremlin is watching with concern as its small but strategic ally, where Russia has a military base, is wracked by nearly two weeks of enormous demonstrations that prompted its former president-turned-prime minister, Serzh Sargsyan, to resign on Monday.
Talks between opposition leader Nikol Pashinian and Karen Karapetian, the acting prime minister, had been expected in the morning but were called off — a decision that sent thousands of anti-government demonstrators back into the streets.
Pressure on the government increased in the evening when the dominant party's small coalition partner, Dashnaktsutyun, announced it was withdrawing. The move leaves the governing Republican party with a majority of 58 seats in the 105-member parliament.
Pashinian had been expected to sit down with Karapetian to discuss the political transition after Sargsyan's abrupt resignation amid the massive protests of his attempts to cling to power.
Karapetian is an ally of Sargsyan, who served as president for 10 years, then became prime minister as Armenia transitioned to a new form of government. It reduced the president's powers and gave more authority to the prime minister.
The opposition insists that Karapetian step down soon to make way for a new prime minister appointed by a new parliament. The talks were supposed to discuss that transition.
Karapetian said in a statement that the talks with Pashinian were canceled after the opposition made unspecified "unilateral demands," and Pashinian urged his supporters to take to the streets.
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with his Armenian counterpart Armen Sarkisian; both agreed that the disorder should be met with "restraint and responsibility," according to a Kremlin statement.

More at: http://www.apnewsarchive.com/2018/Ar...e84573b65b6221

[goldenequity]

some tidbits...

Pashinyan's supporters again blocking main streets in Yerevan

PASHINYAN DEMANDS THAT 'A PEOPLE'S CANDIDATE' BE NOMINATED FOR PRIME MINISTER BEFORE ELECTION IN PARLIAMENT

Armenian prime minister cannot be elected on streets - acting PM

Ruling coalition disintegrating in Armenia
Interfax

Azerbaijani army injures Karabakh soldier - Stepanakert
Interfax news

[Swordsmyth]

Armenia's parliamentary speaker, Ara Babloian, announced that lawmakers will elect a new prime minister on May 1, after Serzh Sargsyan's resignation, RFE/RL reported April 26.

An opposition bloc officially nominated opposition leader Nikol Pashinian as a candidate for prime minister on April 25.

More at: https://worldview.stratfor.com/situa...minister-may-1

[Swordsmyth]

Early Thursday, two Armenian officials, including its foreign minister, jetted to Moscow for meetings with Russian officials, the Interfax news agency reported. “The internal political crisis in Armenia and Russian-Armenian allied relations will dominate the agenda,” it cited a source as saying.
Their visit comes a day after Armenia’s charismatic opposition leader, Nikol Pashinyan, who is jostling to become prime minister in a fresh parliamentary vote May 1, told huge crowds of demonstrators that during a meeting at the Russian Embassy he “got reassurance that Russia would not intervene in Armenia’s internal affairs.”

More at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world...=.d90d5ec57503

[goldenequity]

Azerbaijan will not join the West's sanctions and agreements targeting Russia, Iran, and Turkey,
although the country is under pressure to, Ali Hasanov, the Azerbaijani presidential aide for political and social affairs, said.

Trump Tower on fire in Baku, Azerbaijan - media
Interfax

[Swordsmyth]

Armenia's ruling party said on April 28 that to avoid stoking tensions it will not put forward any candidate to become the country's next prime minister, Reuters reported.

So far, only opposition leader Nikol Pashinian, who has led the protests, has been nominated to the post.

More at: https://worldview.stratfor.com/situa...prime-minister

[Swordsmyth]

The political unrest in Armenia is far from over. On May 1, the Armenian parliament held an extraordinary session to elect a new prime minister, but the vote proved inconclusive and may have a destabilizing effect. The only person on the ballot was opposition leader Nikol Pashinian, who has been leading large-scale demonstrations in the country since April 13. With Pashinian's encouragement, Armenians have taken to the streets in large numbers to protest attempts by long-ruling former President Serzh Sargsyan to become prime minister after changing the constitution to remain in power. Sargsyan succumbed to the protests on April 23, and Pashinian was heralded as the "people's candidate" to become prime minister and oversee upcoming elections.
However, Pashinian was not elected, despite being the sole candidate for the office. He was only able to secure 45 of the 53 parliamentary votes necessary to become prime minister because — with only one exception — the entire ruling Republican Party voted against him. This was likely because Pashinian has consistently accused members of the Republican Party — including Sargsyan and acting premier Karen Karapetian — of corruption and called for their removal.

According to Armenian law, the next step is for another vote to be held on May 8. Then, if a prime minister is still not elected, parliament will be dissolved and early elections will be held in 30-45 days. At the moment, it is unclear whether Pashinian will participate in the upcoming vote or, if he does, whether the Republican Party will vote any differently. But either way, Pashinian called on a crowd of tens of thousands of people assembled outside parliament on May 1 to continue protesting and to hold a total strike beginning May 2, including disrupting roads, railways and airports.

More at: https://worldview.stratfor.com/artic...tests-not-over

[goldenequity]

Pashinyan announces total civil disobedience in Armenia starting on Wed

ARMENIAN OPPOSITION LEADER CALLS FOR COMPLETE BLOCKING OF ROADS, AIRPORT IN ARMENIA

Armenian ruling party's member gives up his parliamentary seat

Interfax news

Republic Square, Yerevan


(where's Waldo Soros? )

Russia to remain Armenia’s strategic ally, Pashinyan says
http://tass.com/world/1002601
"Armenia will remain a member of the Eurasian Economic Union and the Collective Security Treaty Organization," opposition leader said.




Railway traffic stops in Armenia - press service
No flight delays at Erevan airport - press service
Motor traffic virtually stops in Yerevan
Yerevan airport staff join strike in Armenia

(Meanwhile in Czechia people warned not to throw eggs and tomatoes towards NATO troops )

Armenia's lawmakers will try to elect a prime minister on May 8, parliament speaker says, as tens of thousands protest against ruling party's rejection of opposition leader for the role
https://twitter.com/AFP/status/991695056032579587

[Swordsmyth]

Armenian opposition leader Nikol Pashinian has been officially nominated as a candidate for the position of prime minister ahead of the upcoming vote on May 8, RFE/RL reported May 3. On May 2, Pashinian called for a halt to three weeks of protests after the ruling Republican Party said it would back him as the people's candidate and would support any candidate that secures one-third of the votes in parliament.

More at: https://worldview.stratfor.com/situa...iamentary-vote

[Swordsmyth]

Armenia's parliament voted May 8 to elect protest leader Nikol Pashinian prime minister, RFE/RL reported.

Pashinian has promised to maintain strong ties between Armenia and Russia.

More at: https://worldview.stratfor.com/situa...prime-minister

[Swordsmyth]

Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry is criticizing the new Armenian prime minister's statements about resolving a territorial dispute over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Shortly after he was named prime minister Tuesday, Nikol Pashinian said he would make a trip to the region of Azerbaijan that has been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces for more than two decades. Pashinian earlier said that he would push for recognition of the region's sovereignty.

"What is this? Initial naiveté, ignorance of the subject, the bravado of the victor or maybe all of these together?" Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Hikmet Hajiyev said.

Azerbaijan insists that any resolution of the issue must keep Nagorno-Karabakh as a part of the country.


The party that holds the majority of seats in Armenia's parliament says it now considers itself the opposition and won't cooperate with the new government.

Armen Ashotyan, a leader of the Republican Party's parliamentary faction, made the statement on Tuesday hours after the man who led weeks of anti-government protests was elected prime minister.

Although many of the party's deputies voted for Nikol Pashinian in a move to overcome the country's political turmoil, Ashotyan said: "We do not consider it expedient to cooperate with the new government; it would be hypocritical to consider the issue of our participation in the new government."

He added: "We will find a place for ourselves. And this place is not in power, but in the opposition."

More at: http://www.stltoday.com/news/world/t...51c9002ea.html

[Swordsmyth]

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan – the latter recently installed as Armenia’s leader following nationwide protests – had their first bilateral meeting in Sochi on Monday on the sidelines of the Eurasian Economic Union summit.

The summary of the exchanges between the two leaders provided by the Kremlin’s website shows that Putin took the opportunity to remind Pashinyan of Russia’s economic importance to Armenia, whilst Pashinyan for his part thanked Putin for Russia’s neutral position during the protests, and reaffirmed Armenia’s continued friendship with Russia.
Pashinyan specifically reaffirmed Armenia’s continued membership of the Russian led Eurasian Economic Union, and spoke of deepening Armenia’s military ties with Russia.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Prime Minister, colleagues,
I would like to welcome you to Russia and to congratulate you once again, this time in person, on your election to the high position of Prime Minister of Armenia.
First of all, I would like to say that we view Armenia, as everyone knows, as our closest partner and ally in the region. I am referring to both economic and security cooperation.
As you know, Russia is a leading trade and economic partner of Armenia. Its share is estimated at over 25 percent. Russia’s investment accounts for approximately 35 percent of all foreign investment in Armenia. Our trade has grown recently, also by some 25 percent. Armenian agricultural deliveries to Russia are growing at a fast pace, or more precisely, by 38 percent over the past few months.
Overall, this is very good progress and I hope that we will not just maintain but also boost it.
I would like to wish you every success on the post of the Prime Minister of Armenia. I hope that our relations will continue to develop consistently, just as they did before, and that we will continue to work together on the international stage as well as at international organisations, starting from the UN, where Armenia and Russia have always supported each other, and ending with regional organisations, both in security and economic development matters.
Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan: Mr President, thank you for your kind words.
It is very gratifying that, just a few days after I was elected Prime Minister of Armenia, I have this opportunity to have a meeting with you, because I think that we have things to discuss.
There is also something that does not need to be discussed: the allied strategic relations between Armenia and Russia. In general, I can assure you that there is consensus on this matter in Armenia, and nobody has ever questioned the strategic importance of Armenian-Russian relations, or ever will.
We are quite set on giving a fresh impetus to our relations – both in the political and trade and economic sense. We hope to develop our relations in the military technical sector as well as in other industries.
Many people from Russia visit Armenia, which is very good. I think Russians like Armenia very much, and Armenians also enjoy having so many tourists in Yerevan.
I would like to say that we highly appreciate the balanced position that Russia held in the course of our domestic political crisis, and I think it was a very constructive position; it is highly appreciated not only by our Government, but also in Armenian society in general.
Once again, please accept my best wishes on Victory Day. It was very interesting to watch the May 9 parade on Red Square. It is popular in Armenia and we are very impressed by the achievements that the Russian defence industry has made.
Thank you once again for this opportunity.

Pashinyan’s pledges of continued friendship to Russia will be judged cynically by many people, including by my colleague in The Duran Frank Sellers, who see them as nothing more than a device by Pashinyan to play for time whilst he sets about cutting back Armenia’s connections to Russia.

Many see hope in the fact that he plans to attend the Eurasian Economic Union summit next month and to meet with the Russian President Vladimir Putin, together with the fact that he admits that Armenia needs Russia as a military ally, but given his life story and participation in the events recorded here, there seems to be little real hope of that.
Is this a Western backed color revolution? It’s actually hard to cast doubt on that fact, given his connections with Soros funded NGOs who have as their purpose the remaking of Armenia into a NATO member state which looks somewhat less than fondly at Russia as the originator of Armenia’s woes.
With a perception that prosperity will surely be the Armenian inheritance of an integration into the Western political and economic bloc, which perception comes from anywhere but reality. It really can’t be doubted that this movement, led by a man with a history of hostility towards Russia and a long history of working in the interests of the US and its NGOs, is something that was hatched in Washington and delivered via the CIA’s vicarious operatives, the Open Society Foundation and its ilk.
The country’s post soviet poverty and Sargsyan’s perceived power grab are the grievances that were immediately capitalized upon in order to carry out this so called ‘velvet revolution’. Pashinyan says that he wants to maintain Armenia’s balancing act between the East and West, preserving ties and agreements with Russia while pursuing the partnership of the West, it should be noted that Saakashvili made a similar such promise upon assuming control of Georgia in a similar such incident.
Of course, he knows that he can’t be so bold as to immediately cut off ties with the Russians this early in the game, as Armenia is simply too dependent on Russia to make any real changes to Armenia’s foreign policy at this time, but that this represents his long term goal remains a matter to be seen.

I take the diametrically opposite view. I believe that whatever Pashinyan may have said in the past his pledges of continued friendship with Russia and of Armenia’s adhesion to the Eurasian Economic Union are genuine.
After all, as Pashinyan himself said over the course of his meeting with Putin,

…….there is consensus on this matter in Armenia, and nobody has ever questioned the strategic importance of Armenian-Russian relations, or ever will…..

Given Armenia’s economic and geographic realities, and the rapid military build up in Azerbaijan, Armenia has no real choice, even if the Armenian people wanted such a choice, of which there is no real sign that they do.
Armenia’s relations with Russia were not an issue in the recent protests, which at no point took on an anti-Russian character.
As I have pointed out previously, that is in total contrast to the Maidan protests in Ukraine of 2013 and 2014, in which passionate hostility to Russia was the main driving factor. That in itself is a major point of difference between the two sets of protests: the recent protests in Armenia and the Maidan protests in Ukraine.
I remain of the view that the Armenian protests were a strictly internal affair, provoked by the actions of the previous Sargsyan government, and have no geopolitical significance.
Moreover the very fact that – as Pashinyan says – there is “consensus” within Armenia about the importance of Armenia’s relations with Russia in itself places limits on what Pashinyan can do, even if he genuinely does seek to sever Armenia’s relations with Russia, which of course he denies.
Last but not least, there is the fact that even Western oriented commercially minded Armenians – and all Armenians, at least in their own estimation, are to an extent commercially minded – can see for themselves the huge commercial and economic benefits to them personally and for Armenia of Armenia retaining access to the vast Russian market through its membership of the Eurasian Economic Union.
By contrast it is impossible to see a good economic future for Armenia – or indeed (given the geopolitical realities) any real future for Armenia – if it severs its links to Russia.
For all these reasons, unlike Frank Sellers, I believe that when Pashinyan says he wants to maintain or even enhance Armenia’s relations with Russia, he means what he says.
He would be a fool if he didn’t, and whatever else he is, Pashinyan doesn’t seem to me to be a fool.
Time will show which of us – Frank Sellers or myself – is right.

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-...ian-friendship

[Swordsmyth]

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian said Oct. 2 that he would resign after forces in parliament stymied his push for early elections in December, RFE/RL reported. Earlier in the day, Pashinian fired six members of his Cabinet after Armenia's parliament passed a bill designed to prevent early elections.

More at: https://worldview.stratfor.com/situa...arly-elections

[goldenequity]

Pashinian is a clever man.
He is attempting to drain the [frozen entrenched corrupted] Armenian swamp...
by resigning whereby FORCING new elections.
well played Nikol.

[Zippyjuan]

Have we invaded Armenia yet?

[Swordsmyth]

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian and Prosperous Armenia Party leader Gagik Tsarukyan signed an agreement on Oct. 8 to hold snap parliamentary elections in December, RFE/RL reported.

More at: https://worldview.stratfor.com/situa...ns-key-faction

[Swordsmyth]

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian resigned Oct. 16 in order to dissolve parliament and trigger snap elections, Reuters reported.

More at: https://worldview.stratfor.com/situa...snap-elections

[Swordsmyth]

Early elections will take place in Armenia no later than Dec. 15 after the country's parliament twice failed to nominate a prime minister, Reuters reported Nov. 1.

More at: https://worldview.stratfor.com/situa...ions-confirmed

[Swordsmyth]

Acting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian's My Step Alliance has won parliamentary elections, securing 70.4 percent of the vote and gaining a significant majority of 88 seats in the country's 132-seat parliament, RFE/RL reported Dec. 10. The former ruling Republican Party received only 4.7 percent of the vote and thus failed to enter parliament.

More at: https://worldview.stratfor.com/situa...tary-elections

[goldenequity]

Pashinian is a clever man.
He is attempting to drain the [frozen entrenched corrupted] Armenian swamp...
by resigning whereby FORCING new elections.
well played Nikol.

Al-Masdar News‏
Armenia is ready to establish diplomatic ties with Turkey
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article...s-with-turkey/
no doubt at the prompting of Putin...
It further detoxifies the overthrow infiltration designs and embedded elements of U Gno Whoo.

[Swordsmyth]

Protesters opposing Russia's military presence in Armenia gathered in front of the Russian Embassy in Yerevan on Dec. 25 before supporters of Moscow's presence in the country staged a subsequent rally at the same location, Jam News reported Dec. 26.

More at: https://worldview.stratfor.com/situa...itary-presence