Armenia is trying to break Russia’s decades-long grip over its critical infrastructure. Here are our key takeaways:
• Since 2008, Armenia’s railway system has been controlled by a Russian state-owned company under a concession agreement lasting until 2048.
• PM Nikol Pashinyan is now exploring alternatives, including potential involvement from countries like Kazakhstan, Qatar, and the UAE, to reduce Russian monopoly power.
• New regional railway projects tied to post-2020 peace agreements could reconnect Armenia to Azerbaijan, Turkey, and broader trade corridors. But Russia is still trying to maintain influence over these routes.
• The June 7, 2026, parliamentary elections may determine Armenia’s geopolitical future... A return to Russian alignment or a continued shift toward closer ties with the West.