Russia’s alleged interference in Armenian elections

Two leaked documents point to an alleged systematic effort by the Kremlin to undermine Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan ahead of parliamentary elections. Independent Swedish media outlet Blankspot wrote that it has obtained, through a trusted source, a Russian document titled “Programme for Work in the ‘Anti-Pashinyan’ Direction for 2026.”

According to Blankspot, the document states that a central goal is to frame the election as a vote of confidence against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan personally. It also describes efforts to limit the influence of the sitting Armenian government ahead of the June 7 parliamentary elections. Another objective is to prevent Pashinyan’s “political image” from changing or being “modernised” before the vote.

However, the document does not specify which opposition party Russia prefers over Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party. Instead, it describes the tools that are to be used to influence public opinion. Among the proposals is a plan to triple the reach of Russia-aligned narratives on social media compared to autumn 2025 — from 1 million views per day to as many as 3 million. According to the document, the number of opinion makers in the Russia-aligned network is to be expanded from 15 to approximately 40.

It also describes so-called “false flag” campaigns on social media, targeted comment campaigns against campaign workers from the ruling party, and the establishment of dedicated “stringer groups” to produce exclusive content during the election campaign.

Blankspot wrote that it has verified the authenticity and origin of the document, but it is not possible to determine to what extent the strategy has actually been implemented or how central it is to Russian influence efforts ahead of the election. The outlet reported that the document originated from materials obtained „after a person operating within the Russian intelligence services was hacked by a third party before March 2026“.

Another set of leaked documents obtained by Russian opposition figure Mikhail Khodorkovsky’s Dossier Centre allegedly shows a detailed Russian plan to oust Pashinyan through an operation built around their primary candidate, Russian–Armenian tycoon Samvel Karapetyan. As Khodorkovsky writes on his Substack, “Karapetyan met a list of specific requirements: he was not connected to the discredited old opposition, the Karabakh clan, or Pashinyan’s group”.

At the same time, however, Karapetyan had strong ties with Russia, including being listed in Russian databases from 2006 as working for the “IC FSB”, or Information Centre of the FSB, a designation typically used for informants or foreigners operating under FSB control. While the operation planned around Karapetyan was detailed — including a TV channel and a legal defence committee to deal with his anticipated arrest — Kremlin consultant Gleb Kuznetsov, the head of the expert council at the Expert Institute for Social Studies (EISI), an institute closely tied to the Russian Presidential Administration, soon realised that Karapetyan’s clear Russian ties were in fact a liability, including preventing him by law from holding the post of Prime Minister of Armenia.

Therefore, according to the leaked documents, a second track was formed, centring on former Armenian Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan, who has arguably been the most popular person to hold the position. Tatoyan registered his political initiative, Wings of Unity, as a political party by mid-April 2026. The Dossier Centre found that a third Russian document was created outlining a post-election coalition between Karapetyan and Tatoyan. That same day, Tatoyan responded to the allegations, calling the financial figures cited by the Dossier Centre as being “fabricated, completely exaggerated”.

“These are facts, objective facts. The information about the sources of funding is completely false. All our actions comply with the law: they are reflected in tax and bank statements, as well as in all other relevant records. The Wings of Unity party has no funding from any external source, especially not from Russia”, Tatoyan wrote on Facebook. He concluded by stating that they would “sue the dubious source” and would go after anyone else who toyed with his “authority and good reputation”.

Karapetyan has not responded to the allegations as of the time of publication.

Sources:

• Blankspot, „Confidential document reveals: Russia seeks to influence Armenia’s election“, https://blankspot.se/confidential-document-reveals-russia-seeks-to-influence-armenias-election/

• KUENNING Xandie, OSTILLER Nate, OC Media, „Leaked documents show Russian plans to unseat Pashinyan, ties between Karapetyan and Putin“, https://oc-media.org/leaked-documents-show-russian-plans-to-unseat-pashinyan-ties-between-karapetyan-and-putin/

Turkey opens bilateral trade with Armenia after decades of closure

Turkey and Armenia have taken one of their most significant practical steps toward economic rapprochement in decades after Ankara removed long-standing restrictions preventing direct bilateral trade documentation, opening a new phase in efforts to rebuild ties between the longtime regional rivals, reported The Middle East Observer.

The measure allows goods traded between the two countries to be officially documented as Turkish or Armenian imports and exports without requiring indirect customs designation through intermediary states such as Georgia. While the shared land border remained officially closed after the decision and most shipments were still expected to transit through third countries, the decision substantially reduced administrative barriers while formalising commercial flows that had long operated through indirect channels.

The distinction between trade facilitation and full border reopening nevertheless remains critical. Turkish officials have emphasised that technical work concerning the physical opening of the border is still underway. Earlier negotiations examined practical transport measures, including the reopening of the Alican–Margara border crossing and the potential restoration of the historic Akyaka–Akhurik railway connection linking the two countries.

Until such infrastructure becomes operational, the latest move is best understood as a breakthrough in customs and trade documentation rather than a full reopening of direct overland commerce, wrote The Middle East Observer.

On May 24, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that Turkey and Armenia will open the Akhalkalaki–Kars railway between Georgia and Turkey for Armenian exports and imports. He added that, despite the concession agreement with Russia for the management of Armenia’s railways, the Armenian government will soon begin renovating the Gyumri–Akhurik–Akyaka and the Yeraskh junction railways. “Today, Armenia has a railway connection with Russia via the territories of Georgia and Azerbaijan, and further with China via the territories of Russia and Kazakhstan. Now, via Georgia and Turkey, it also has a connection to the EU,” Pashinyan stated.

Ankara’s special representative for the normalisation process with Armenia, Serdar Kilic, said on the same day that the opening of the Akhalkalaki-Kars railway line to Armenia’s imports and exports marks a new step in trade relations between the two neighbouring countries. “I hope this new step, which will also improve quadruple cooperation among Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia and make a significant contribution to regional peace and stability, will be beneficial for all these countries,” Kilic said.

In 1993, Turkey unilaterally severed diplomatic relations with Armenia and closed its shared land border in solidarity with Azerbaijan during the First Nagorno-Karabakh War. The border has remained closed since then, including for rail cargo transit

Sources:

•  Meobserver.org, „Turkey and Armenia Move Toward Direct Trade in Major Step for South Caucasus Normalization“, https://meobserver.org/trade/2026/05/16/turkey-and-armenia-move-toward-direct-trade-in-major-step-for-south-caucasus-normalization/
• KURT Seyit, AA, „Türkiye says opening of Akhalkalaki-Kars railway to Armenia marks new step in normalisation “, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkiye/turkiye-says-opening-of-akhalkalaki-kars-railway-to-armenia-marks-new-step-in-normalization/3947402
• BARSEGHYAN Arshalyus, OC Media, „Turkish rail routes open for Armenian cargo“, https://oc-media.org/turkish-rail-routes-open-for-armenian-cargo/

Continuous repressions in Azerbaijan

Ali Karimli, the imprisoned chairman of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP), was denied permission to attend the funeral of his father, Amirhuseyn Karimov, who passed away on May 9. While the elder Karimov was buried in the village of Azadkend in the Saatli region, his son remained in custody. Notably, in the past, some imprisoned opposition politicians and journalists were temporarily released to attend the funerals of their relatives, erites Obyektiv Media.

Karimli has been in detention since November 29, 2025, alongside APFP praesidium member Mammad Ibrahim. Both face serious charges under Article 278.1 of the Criminal Code, relating to alleged attempts to forcibly overthrow the constitutional order— a charge that carries the possibility of life imprisonment. The defence team and the APFP have dismissed these allegations as politically motivated fabrications.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan has placed a travel ban on Dilruba Amanova, the mother of journalist Aytaj Ahmadova (Tapdig), who was one of 12 journalists detained in 2024 as part of an ongoing crackdown against independent media and civil society at large. Amanova was first informed of the travel ban by the State Border Service on April 30, when she attempted to fly from Baku to Berlin to visit her other daughter. At the time, she was told the ban had been imposed by Azerbaijan’s Interior Ministry.

„When I gave my passport [to the border control officer] for checking, he asked me to look at the camera, and at that moment his service phone rang, and someone shouted at him why the ’XX ’ to pass the border?. I understood that ’XX ’ is me and they will not allow me to leave Azerbaijan“, Amanova told the OC Media.

According to Amanova, she has never been interrogated regarding any criminal case and does not know why the Interior Ministry imposed the travel ban. She has suggested, however, that the ban stems from her daughter’s journalistic work. „I’m followed on the street by various people whenever I leave the house. I don’t know what I did wrong? I was forced to quit my job in 2015, when Aytaj was taken to the police station as part of the Meydan TV case. The authorities don’t allow us to live in our homeland and are doing everything they can to make us suffer“.

Azerbaijan’s Supreme Court also rejected the appeal of political scientist and the OC Media editor Bahruz Samadov, who was previously sentenced to 15 years in prison on treason charges. After the hearing, Samadov shouted slogans such as “Freedom!”, “Stop the illegal arrests!”, and “Stop the repression!” The defence insisted on a full acquittal, arguing that the charges were insufficiently substantiated. The lawyers also demanded that Samadov’s transfer to the Umbaki maximum security prison, where he was sent in October 2025 for a one-year term, be overturned.

According to his lawyer, Zibeyda Sadigova, the political scientist has serious health issues. In his final statement, Samadov disclosed a serious eye condition and stated that confinement in a confined space had negatively impacted his condition, including his rapidly deteriorating vision. His defence also claims that he was repeatedly subjected to pressure in custody, including being placed in solitary confinement.

Samadov’s name has previously been mentioned in international human rights documents. For example, in March 2026, at the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council, a declaration on political repression and human rights violations in Azerbaijan was presented. In the document, prepared by the UN Institute of Human Rights, Samadov was mentioned among examples of pressure on academics, journalists, and civil society representatives. The authors of the declaration also noted the systematic persecution of independent media and the use of torture against detainees.

Sources:

• Obyektiv Media, „Azerbaijani Opposition Leader Denied Permission to Attend Father’s Funeral“, https://www.obyektiv.media/post/azerbaijani-opposition-leader-denied-permission-to-attend-father-s-funeral

• FARHADOVA Aytan, OC Media, „Azerbaijan imposes travel ban on mother of jailed journalist“, https://oc-media.org/azerbaijan-imposes-travel-ban-on-mother-of-jailed-journalist/

• New Dosh, “Stop the repression.” Azerbaijan’s Supreme Court upheld the sentence of political scientist Bahruz Samadov, https://newdosh.media/en/news/samadov-ostanetsa-v-zaklucenii-verhovnyj-sud-azerbajdzana-otklonil-apellaciu

Several high-ranking US officials visited Georgia

U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary Sonata Coulter visited Tbilisi on May 7, holding meetings with Georgian Dream officials and opposition figures. The trip came amid the Georgian ruling party’s attempts to reset relations with Washington amid ongoing uncertainty in bilateral ties. Coulter, who oversees Russia, the Caucasus, and European Security and Political Affairs, arrived in Georgia following reports from Georgian officials that a State Department visit was expected in May, amid hopes to “deepen” communication between the Georgian and American sides. She headed to Tbilisi from Armenia, where she also met with local officials and the EU diplomats, Civil.ge reported.

On May 7, Coulter met the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobachidze and Minister of Foreign Affairs Maka Botchorishvili. “Prime Minister reaffirmed the readiness of the Georgian government to reset bilateral relations, to renew the strategic partnership from a clean slate with a specific roadmap focused on tangible results,” the GD government press office reported on May 7, adding: “Special emphasis was placed on the importance of connectivity and Georgia’s role in the Middle Corridor.”

On May 8, Botchorishvili held another meeting with Coulter, the Georgian Foreign Ministry said. “Discussions focused on Georgia-United States relations and the prospects for further cooperation,” the ministry said, and emphasised “the United States’ steadfast support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” “The parties also discussed future steps and reaffirmed their readiness to further strengthen bilateral relations,” the press release added.

The US official also met with Georgian Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili, during which, according to the Economy Ministry, the parties “discussed the prospects of cooperation” between Georgia and the US. On May 8, Coulter met with representatives of the Georgian opposition, including leaders of the Opposition Alliance, which unites nine parties, as well as representatives of the Lelo/Strong Georgia coalition and ex-PM Giorgi Gakharia’s For Georgia party. Acting US Ambassador Alan Purcell also attended the meeting.

The US State Department representatives visited Georgia from May 24 to 29 to meet with Georgian government officials, political parties, the business community, and Georgian faith leaders, the US Embassy told Civil.ge on May 25. The delegation included Charles Yockey, Special Assistant to the US Secretary of State, and Peter Andreoli, Director of the Office for Russian and Caucasian Affairs at the US State Department, who previously visited Georgia in March.

The Georgian Prime Minister has met with a delegation on May 25 at the Government Administration building. The meeting was also attended by Maka Botchorishvili. “The meeting focused on the importance of resetting USA–Georgia relations and establishing a strategic partnership based on a concrete roadmap”, the Georgian government administration said in a press release, adding that “special emphasis was placed on Georgia’s role as a trustworthy and reliable partner in the region”. The government administration also noted that Kobakhidze had reaffirmed the government’s “readiness to renew bilateral relations from a clean slate, based on mutual respect”.

Relations between Tbilisi and Washington have remained strained since November 2024, when the United States under President Joe Biden suspended the strategic partnership with Georgia and sanctioned Georgian Dream founder and Honorary Chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili a month later. Washington under President Donald Trump has remained largely silent toward Tbilisi and is yet to reverse Biden-era decisions despite Georgian Dream’s claims of “shared values” and stated efforts to reset relations “from a clean slate.”

Sources:

• Civil.ge, „US Deputy Assistant Secretary Visits Tbilisi, Meets Georgian Dream Officials, Opposition“, https://civil.ge/archives/733517

• Civil.ge, „US State Department Representatives Visit Georgia“, https://civil.ge/archives/735741

• KUENNING Xandie, OC Media, „Kobkahdize meets with US State Department delegation, again“, https://oc-media.org/kobkahdize-meets-with-us-state-department-delegation-again/