MOSCOW (Realist English). Sergey Kiriyenko, first deputy chief of staff to the Russian president, has been tasked with coordinating relations with Armenia — a portfolio previously managed by Dmitry Kozak, Vedomosti reported on April 30, citing sources within federal authorities.
The shift marks a transfer of Armenian affairs to the Kremlin’s domestic policy bloc, including departments led by Andrei Yarin (Internal Policy), Alexander Kharichev (Monitoring and Analysis of Social Processes), and Sergey Novikov (Public Projects).
According to sources, the primary goal is to strengthen Russia’s presence in Armenia through soft power instruments, media influence, and the promotion of pro-Russian narratives. The effort is not about electoral interference, they claim, but about asserting a “Russian presence” as Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan pursues closer ties with the West.
Kiriyenko already oversees similar operations related to Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Moldova (including Transnistria). His expanded mandate comes as relations between Moscow and Yerevan continue to sour. Armenia’s disillusionment with Russia deepened after the Kremlin failed to support Yerevan during its 2022 border conflict with Azerbaijan, despite Armenia’s formal membership in the CSTO military bloc.
In February 2024, Pashinyan announced a “freeze” of Armenia’s CSTO membership. During an April visit to Estonia, he stated that Armenia does not seek to sever ties with Russia, but is reshaping its foreign policy trajectory.
Analysts note that while a large portion of Armenian society remains sympathetic to Russia, years of perceived neglect have eroded trust. Kiriyenko’s appointment signals the Kremlin’s intent to rebuild its regional influence and prepare for Armenia’s next parliamentary elections in 2026.
