Politics

The debate about the road through Syunik is back in the spotlight

October 2025 brought a new wave of discussions on the idea of a transit corridor through Syunik: on the one hand, it opens up economic prospects; on the other hand, it creates strategic risks for Armenia and changes the balance of security on the southern borders. Discussions at international forums have shown that any plans require legal guarantees about the inviolability of the protected area and the rights of the local population. Local residents and environmental groups are warning of threats to agriculture and biodiversity if the corridor is built without proper assessments. Political leaders of neighboring countries see the project as a chance to strengthen transit ties, but its implementation depends on broad international agreement and guarantees of the inviolability of borders. October confirmed that economic projects in the region cannot be considered without taking into account the political and environmental consequences.

Azerbaijan announces plans to sign agreement in the coming year

In October 2025, official Baku made a number of public statements about the completion of the preliminary text version of the peace treaty with Armenia and its intention to formalize the agreement in the coming months. Senior Azerbaijani officials noted that key elements have been achieved: road corridors, issues of return of cultural heritage and security mechanisms along the contact line. Baku's statements provoked a mixed reaction in Yerevan and among international mediators. On the one hand, the prospects for formalization indicate the possibility of finally relieving tensions, opening transport routes and attracting foreign investment. On the other hand, there are concerns: details related to the protection of the population, minority rights and the transit regime remain the subject of heated debate. In Armenia, part of society expressed dissatisfaction and concern about possible territorial concessions or population transfers, and human rights activists monitored guarantees for the safety of those who will remain in the disputed zones.

Peace initiatives from civil society: volunteers, journalists, activists call for dialogue

Despite the official rhetoric and the authorities’ refusal to compromise, civil initiatives around the world intensified in October 2025. Volunteers, journalists, former military personnel, members of NGOs began publishing manifestos, appeals to the authorities, international organizations, demanding the start of negotiations, prisoner exchanges, and humanitarian pauses. These initiatives received a response abroad - international organizations expressed interest in the dialogue and were ready to act as mediators. But Moscow, in fact, ignored such appeals, which emphasized the gap between the official position and the civilian request for peace. October 2025 was the month when the voice of society was different from the voice of power. And this became noticeable even to outside observers.

“NO TO WAR” protest took place in Glendale

GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA - November 25, 2025 A peaceful protest took place today in Glendale against the Putin regime and the ongoing war against Ukraine. Representatives of the Armenian, Ukrainian and other communities, as well as anti-war activists, took part in the action. Participants of the action gathered in the city center, holding posters and banners with calls for peace and the inscriptions: “No to war,” “Putin is a murderer,” “Freedom for Ukraine,” and “Stop the aggression.” During the rally, participants made protest speeches in which they condemned the senseless military actions, the bombing of civilians and political repression in Russia. The vast majority of the organizers of the action were people of different nationalities who moved to the United States to escape Russian repression. According to the participants, in Russia it is enough to say only once that you are against war to immediately find yourself in the field of view of law enforcement agencies - criminal cases are initiated against everyone. Representatives of other nationalities living in Russia are the most vulnerable, since they are also discriminated against, and they are the first to be forced to report to military registration and enlistment offices and sent to war. According to the protesters, their goal is not only to express solidarity with the people of Ukraine, but also to draw attention to the situation of citizens who were forced to flee Russia because they were subjected to severe pressure and persecution for participating in active anti-war protests and because of their political position, as well as to draw attention to human rights, which are mercilessly violated. Organizers said community initiatives like these are important to continue to draw international attention to this tragedy and express solidarity with people affected by the war.

Search of blogger Heghine Asiryan’s house: demonstrative actions of law enforcement officers raised concerns

25.10.2025

Yesterday, officers of the Main Department of the Criminal Police conducted a search at the Yerevan address of opposition blogger and public figure Heghine Asiryan, who lives in the United States. Although it was known that Asiryan is in the United States and does not live at that address, law enforcement officers nevertheless searched the apartment where the blogger’s mother currently lives.

The operation was unexpectedly carried out with the involvement of the media, which has raised a number of questions regarding its goals. Many opposition figures have already described this operation as a “political show.” According to representatives of civil society, such public actions can be fairly perceived not only as a legal action, but also as a demonstrative action or an open threat, a political attack directed at people who speak out against the authorities.

Heghine Asiryan has become known in recent years for her oppositional political publications and bold comments. She has regularly criticized the policies of the Armenian authorities on social networks, supported opposition initiatives, publicly spoke out in defense of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and organized peaceful protests in the Diaspora.

Human rights activists are concerned that such actions will set a dangerous precedent for restrictions on freedom of speech, as well as create an atmosphere of fear among other journalists, bloggers, activists, and opposition figures.

So far, law enforcement agencies have not detailed what the search was about, what grounds there were for such actions, and what legal consequences it will have for Heghine Asiryan.

Author: Vahe Isayan

The position of Kyiv and its allies: negotiations without the return of territories are non-functional

In September 2025, Kyiv and the leaders of Ukraine’s allied countries stated: any negotiations with Russia are possible only if the occupied territories are returned and the sovereignty of Ukraine is restored. Any attempts to legalize annexation are perceived as a blow to international law and the security of Europe. Allies emphasize that recognition of the 2022 borders will set a precedent for future conflicts, and that Russia must be held accountable for aggression. September 2025 was the month when the diplomatic line of the West—and Ukraine—became tough: there were no more compromises with Russia. Only resolutions, sanctions and pressure.

Western initiatives to help Ukraine: Russia is isolated, negotiations are on pause

In August, European and American leaders stepped up initiatives to support Ukraine: financial assistance, military supplies, new sanctions against Moscow. Against this background, the negotiation process has practically stalled - Russia found itself in diplomatic isolation. Many Western states have stated that they will not accept the conditions offered by Moscow and will not facilitate recognition of the annexations. This has effectively closed the way to compromises in which Russia insists on maintaining the status quo. August 2025 showed: external pressure on Moscow has increased, and the sources of peace negotiations are dwindling. For diplomacy, this became an alarming signal: the chance for a balanced world is increasingly distant.

Diplomatic wave: meeting of border delimitation commissions

In July, a meeting was held between the delegations of Armenia and Azerbaijan on the delimitation of part of the common border. The work was carried out in a technical format: maps, field surveys, discussion of areas where joint engineering work was required and clarification of GPS coordinates. Experts called the meeting practical and useful: agreements on small areas can reduce daily incidents and produce local gains, even if larger political issues remain unresolved. The organizers of the meetings emphasized: this is work “without fanfare,” but it is very important for the safety of the population along the border. However, public perception is mixed: alarming voices about territorial concessions continue to be heard in cities, and radical elements in both countries are trying to use any concession as a reason for escalation. Therefore, delimitation is proceeding cautiously, with the invitation of international observers and the obligation to publish interim reports.