Speaking at a reception marking Diplomatic Service Day, Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergei Kopyrkin stated that Russia remains Armenia’s leading trade, investment, energy, and food security partner, despite external disruptions, Sputnik Armenia reports.
According to Kopyrkin, Armenia-Russia relations have entered a new phase, shaped by shifting geopolitical realities — changes that are also being felt in the South Caucasus.
“Overcoming current challenges requires long-term political will and strategic wisdom from both sides, in order to preserve and expand the achievements of our bilateral cooperation,” the ambassador said.
He noted that Armenian National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan’s visit to Moscow contributed to this goal.
Kopyrkin emphasized that Russia wants to see Armenia as a strong, sovereign, and self-reliant country, and sees Armenia’s full participation in Moscow-led integration platforms as serving that goal. He added that Armenia’s GDP has grown 2.5 times over its 10 years in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
He also highlighted the ongoing cultural and humanitarian cooperation, noting that Russian tourists remain the largest group of foreign visitors to Armenia.
The ambassador stressed the enduring friendship between the Armenian and Russian peoples, forged through generations and strengthened over centuries by shared hardships, achievements, and deep human ties.
Commenting on the broader global context, Kopyrkin said the world is undergoing deep, tectonic shifts leading to a multipolar order. He said new centers of influence are emerging — politically, economically, technologically, and financially. Though the contours of this new world remain undefined, he stressed that it must be based on equality, mutual respect, and aligned interests.
These values, he added, are also upheld by new multilateral platforms like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS. From Moscow’s viewpoint, Kopyrkin stated, the era of Western dominance over the rest of the world is over — irreversibly so.
Meanwhile, following a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance announced that Armenia and the United States have completed negotiations on a “123 Agreement” for civil nuclear energy cooperation. The deal opens the door for major projects, including up to $5 billion in initial U.S. exports and an additional $4 billion in support for fuel and services.
