Groong Links:
Guest:
Topics:
- May 28, Republic Day
- Armenia’s EU-Russia policy confusion
- Constitutional changes for “peace”
- Impeachment vs. election dilemma
- Azeri invasion threat and silence
Episode 441 | Recorded: May 28, 2025
Show Notes
In this episode of Groong Week in Review, we speak with Arthur Khachatryan of the ARF about Armenia’s shifting political landscape. We reflect on Republic Day and the legacy of the First Armenian Republic, explore Armenia’s contradictory stance on EU membership amid Russian pressure, and examine Pashinyan’s push to amend the constitution to satisfy Azerbaijani demands. The conversation also covers rising opposition calls for either elections or impeachment, the growing threat of Azerbaijani aggression along Armenia’s borders, recent corruption scandals, and the implications of Armenia hosting the 2026 EPC Summit during an election year.
Main Topics Addressed
- Reflections on May 28, Republic Day, and the legacy of the First Armenian Republic
- Armenia’s contradictory messaging on EU membership and its relations with Russia
- Pashinyan’s push for constitutional changes to meet Azerbaijani demands
- Debate over elections versus impeachment ahead of 2026
- The growing risk of an Azerbaijani invasion and the muted official response
- Corruption allegations surrounding the mayor of Vagharshapat
- Joint military drills by Iran and Azerbaijan in Karabakh
- Announcement that Armenia will host the 2026 EPC Summit
Key Questions Discussed
- What does Republic Day mean in today’s post-Artsakh Armenia?
- Is Armenia pursuing EU membership or just signaling for political gain?
- Why is the government downplaying EU negotiations while passing pro-accession laws?
- Can constitutional changes be used to bypass internal resistance to the peace deal?
- Are elections or impeachment more realistic paths for regime change?
- How does the ARF view participation in 2026, and will it remain in the Hayastan alliance?
- What’s the ARF’s stance on “closing the Artsakh chapter”?
- How serious is the risk of an Azerbaijani invasion, and why is the government silent?
- Does allowing buyouts from military service undermine national defense?
- Is hosting the EPC Summit a genuine geopolitical move or election-season theater?
Referenced Articles & Sources
- Armenia has not submitted EU membership application – Mirzoyan (ARKA)
- Lavrov’s visit to Armenia – Groong Ep 438
- Valentina Matvienko to visit Armenia – ARKA
- Russia appoints official to expand influence in Armenia – OC Media
- Putin could be arrested in Armenia – Business Insider
- Armenia and Azerbaijan Peace Talks – Crisis Group
- New corruption case involving Vagharshapat mayor – Azatutyun
- Joint Iran-Azerbaijan military drills – Azatutyun
- Armenia to host EPC Summit – Armenpress
Wrap-up
That’s our show! We hope you found it useful. Please find us on Social Media and follow us everywhere you get your Armenian news.
Thanks to Laura Osborn for the music on our podcasts.
Guests
Arthur Khachatryan
Mr. Arthur Khachatryan is an MP from the Hayastan Dashinq (Armenia alliance) and a member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF Dashnaktsutyun). In the past, he has held government posts such as Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Development, Governor of Shirak, and Minister of Agriculture.
Hosts
Asbed Bedrossian
Asbed is founder of the Armenian News Network Groong and co-founder of the ANN/Groong podcast.
Hovik Manucharyan
Hovik Manucharyan is an information security engineer who moved from Seattle to Armenia in 2022. He co-founded the ANN/Groong podcast in 2020 and has been a contributor to Groong News since the late 1990s.
Disclaimer: The views expressed by Hovik Manucharyan on the ANN/Groong podcast are his own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of his employer or any other organization.