Armenia's Foreign Policy: Balancing Between East and West

 Armenia’s foreign policy is shaped by its geography, history, and complex regional dynamics. As a small, landlocked country in the South Caucasus, Armenia walks a delicate diplomatic tightrope between two major global powers: Russia and the United States.

Russia has long been Armenia’s traditional ally. The two countries are bound by military and economic ties, including Armenia’s membership in the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Russia also operates a military base in Armenia and has historically been seen as a security guarantor, especially in the context of Armenia’s tensions with Azerbaijan.

However, recent years have seen growing frustration in Armenia over what many perceive as a lack of Russian support during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war and subsequent border clashes. This has sparked public and political debates in Yerevan about the reliability of Russia as a strategic partner.

Armenia’s relationship with the United States has grown steadily, especially in terms of development assistance, democratic reforms, and humanitarian aid. The U.S. supports Armenia’s democratic transition and has expressed concern over regional instability, often calling for peaceful resolution to conflicts in the region.

In recent months, U.S.-Armenia ties have strengthened through military cooperation and economic dialogue. While Washington is not a security guarantor, its increased engagement signals Armenia’s gradual pivot toward a more balanced foreign policy.

Armenia is attempting to diversify its foreign relations while avoiding a direct break with any major power. Its challenge lies in asserting sovereignty and national interest while managing deep dependencies — particularly on Russia for security and on the West for political and economic modernization.

This balancing act will continue to define Armenia’s foreign policy as it seeks stability, peace, and progress in a turbulent region.

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