Pashinyan Visits Russia Amidst Protests
Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinyan arrived in Moscow for talks this week. The trip drew immediate attention online under the tag Pashinyan Visits Russia Amidst Protests.
Protest at the embassy
Shortly after Pashinyan’s reception at the airport, videos circulated on Telegram. They showed a protest outside the Armenian embassy in Moscow.
Participants voiced anger about recent events involving the Armenian Apostolic Church. Some clergy members joined the demonstration.
Accusations against church figures
Pashinyan has publicly accused senior church officials of ties to the KGB. A media outlet linked to the ruling Civil Contract party published a document on the matter.
The document alleged that Archbishop Yezras Nersissian was recruited by the KGB in the 1980s. It also claimed he retained links with foreign intelligence services.
Incident in a Moscow hotel
In a hotel corridor, a man approached Pashinyan and asked to take a photo with his child. The man said the child would learn to recognize “those who delivered Karabakh.”
Pashinyan posed for the picture and then left the scene.
Meeting with President Putin
Pashinyan himself suggested a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Armenian officials did not publish a detailed agenda.
The Kremlin said discussions would cover Armenia-Russia strategic cooperation and Eurasian integration. They would also address urgent regional issues and transport, logistics, and economic links in the South Caucasus.
Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan accompanied Pashinyan. Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and his deputy Mnatsakan Safaryan were also in the delegation.
The railway dispute
A major item on the agenda is the Armenian railway network. The system is currently under Russian management via a long-term concession.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said there were no negotiations over changing that management. She recalled the 2008 concession runs for 30 years, with an optional ten-year extension.
Zakharova noted the concessionaire, South Caucasus Railways, meets its obligations. She also cited Russian investments above 30 billion roubles.
Pashinyan argued months ago that Russian control harms Armenia’s strategic position and competitiveness. He proposed that a friendly third country buy the concession rights from Russia.
Moscow responded sharply. Zakharova called the proposal “strange and somewhat unacceptable.” Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu warned a transfer could cause system collapse overnight.
Reports have suggested a possible Kazakh bidder, but no transfer decision is confirmed. Pashinyan said talks continue and he does not want a confrontational approach.
Wider political tensions
The visit comes amid heightened domestic tensions. Members of the ruling party allege Russia conducts “hybrid attacks” and interferes in Armenian affairs.
Pashinyan recently accused leading opponents Samvel Karapetyan, Robert Kocharyan, and Gagik Tsarukyan of acting on external instructions. He said those figures were pressured to protect assets in Russia and Belarus.
Filmogaz.com will continue to follow developments from Moscow and Yerevan. Updates will appear as new information becomes available.
