In a wide-ranging interview with Noyan Tapan, Arman Babajanyan, Chairman of the “For the Republic” Party, detailed a transformative shift in Armenia’s foreign policy following high-level diplomatic engagements with the United States. Highlighting a “new phase” of partnership, Babajanyan described a future defined by technological sovereignty, energy independence, and a fundamental realignment of national security.
A central theme of the discussion was Armenia’s move to secure advanced military technology, specifically in the realm of intelligence-gathering. Babajanyan pointedly noted that the failures of the 44-day war were deeply linked to a lack of reliable, impartial data, suggesting that Armenia had previously been misled by “false and misleading” intelligence provided by traditional allies.
The U.S. has reportedly shifted its stance on providing such technology. While Western nations previously hesitated due to Armenia’s CSTO obligations and the risk of sensitive NATO-grade technology being shared with Russia, the U.S. has now “greenlit” access. This move potentially places Armenia in an elite bracket of non-NATO partners, such as Australia and South Korea, regarding the types of defensive assets it can acquire.
Energy as Sovereignty: The Nuclear Question
Perhaps the most significant development discussed was the “unprecedented” agreement on peaceful nuclear cooperation. Armenia is actively seeking to diversify its energy sector to reduce a “decades-long” dependence on Russian gas and nuclear infrastructure.
Key highlights from the energy discussion include:
Russian “Blackmail”: Babajanyan claimed Russia is conditioning a 10-year life extension of the current nuclear plant on being granted “exclusive rights” to build a new facility by 2036. He characterized this as an “unhealthy” attempt at blackmail.
Western Alternatives: Armenia is negotiating with U.S. professional groups, similar to those that assisted Eastern European nations like Romania, to manage and extend the life of existing Soviet-model plants without Russian exclusivity.
Modular Innovation: The U.S. has reportedly pledged significant financial support—potentially reaching billions—for the implementation of small modular reactors, a technology Russia has yet to successfully deploy in similar contexts.
The pivot toward the West is not without friction. Babajanyan acknowledged a “struggle of nerves” with Moscow, particularly regarding Russian border guards on the Armenian-Iranian border. He argued that given Armenia’s “fraternal” relationship with Iran, the Russian presence is an unnecessary relic that could obstruct major infrastructure projects like the “TRIP” project.
Furthermore, Babajanyan addressed concerns regarding regional neighbors, stating that Armenia has taken the responsibility to reassure Tehran that its Western partnerships will not undermine Iranian security. Instead, he argued, a more secure and technologically advanced Armenia directly strengthens the stability of Iran’s northern border.
Beyond security, the partnership promises a shift from consumption to production. The U.S. has signaled an interest in investing in Armenia’s technological capacity, including the potential for domestic semiconductor production. Such investments could elevate Armenia to a new level of economic self-sufficiency, further anchoring its independence in a volatile region.