Russia Intensifies Pressure on Armenia Ahead of Crucial Elections as Pro-Western Prime Minister Leads Polls

Russia is escalating pressure on Armenia before important upcoming elections, seeking to prevent the loss of another satellite state in the Caucasus region. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who has been moving Armenia closer to Western countries, is currently favored to win despite Moscow's interference efforts. According to regional experts, Pashinyan's popularity stems from public desire for peace and economic growth under his leadership. The elections represent a critical moment for Armenia's geopolitical orientation, as Russia attempts to maintain its traditional sphere of influence in the strategically important South Caucasus while Pashinyan continues his pivot toward Western institutions and away from Moscow's orbit.