PM Pashinyan Does Not Rule Out Withdrawal of Russian Border Guards from Certain Areas

YEREVAN — Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has stated that the gradual withdrawal of Russian border guards from certain sections of Armenia’s borders remains a possibility.

Speaking to journalists following a government session, Pashinyan noted that under the 1992 agreement between Armenia and Russia, border control responsibilities can progressively shift to Armenian forces as their capabilities develop.

Currently, Armenia pays for the services of Russian border guards, and Russian counterparts have previously raised the issue of increasing these payments. However, Pashinyan suggested that those funds could instead be directed toward strengthening Armenia’s own border security infrastructure.

He emphasized that Armenia will assume control over border sections where it has sufficient capacity, while Russian forces will continue operating within a budget that remains manageable for Armenia.

Russian border guards currently assist in protecting Armenia’s borders with Turkey and Iran under the 1992 agreement. However, their presence has changed significantly in recent years, including their withdrawal from Zvartnots Airport and the Agarak checkpoint on the Armenian-Iranian border.