Show Notes

In this Groong Week in Review, Hovik Manucharyan and Asbed Bedrossian are joined by Dziunik Aghajanian to examine a volatile week marked by escalating confrontation between the Armenian state and the Armenian Apostolic Church, deepening fractures inside Europe over the Ukraine war, and controversial developments around Armenia–Azerbaijan trade and regional transport corridors. The discussion focuses on state power, legitimacy, and the geopolitical tradeoffs shaping Armenia’s present and future.

Topics Covered

Ukraine War Update

Ukraine’s battlefield situation continues to deteriorate, with reports of Ukrainian withdrawals from key positions amid shortages of weapons, manpower, and electricity. European leaders are increasingly divided on how to proceed, as French President Emmanuel Macron shifts toward dialogue with Moscow while blocking German efforts to seize Russian assets for Ukraine and lobbying to restore nuclear fuel cooperation with Russia.

Key developments discussed:

Ukraine battlefield setbacks https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20251223-live-russia-launches-air-attack-on-kyi-after-latest-round-of-peace-talks
Macron–Putin dialogue https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/12/22/ukraine-peace-talks-stall-as-putin-says-ready-for-dialogue-with-macron_6748749_4.html
Macron blocks asset seizure https://www.voxnews.al/english/kosovabota/prapaskenat-macron-tradhtoi-merz-in-per-ukrainen-i106907
Nuclear fuel lobbying https://www.hungarianconservative.com/articles/current/russian-nuclear-energy-rosatom-framatome-germany-eu-trade-economy/
Assassination of Russian general https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/22/moscow-car-bomb-kills-russian-general

Pashinyan vs. the Catholicos

Etchmiadzin Under Siege

Following public denials of state involvement, events at Holy Etchmiadzin suggested coordinated pressure against the Armenian Apostolic Church. Ten renegade archbishops attempted to force the Catholicos’s resignation during evening worship, backed by security forces, while large crowds of supporters prevented their entry.

Armenian Weekly report https://armenianweekly.com/2025/12/22/pashinyan-orders-invasion-of-holy-etchmiadzins-sacred-grounds/
Police and NSS escort details https://www.azatutyun.am/a/33628203.html

The KGB “Leak”

A day later, civic.am published a purportedly declassified KGB document alleging that Archbishop Ezras, the Catholicos’s brother, collaborated with Soviet intelligence in 1986–1988. The document raised major authenticity concerns, including format irregularities, Armenian-language text, and lack of confirmation by the National Security Service.

civic.am leak https://civic.am/news/107580

December 28

Media reports claim that Pashinyan plans to personally go to Etchmiadzin on December 28 to force the Catholicos’s removal, marking a potential escalation from indirect pressure to direct confrontation.

Media report https://24news.am/politics/483159

Transport and Communications

The “Peace Dividend”

The government promoted the arrival of Azerbaijani fuel to Armenia as the first bilateral commercial transaction in decades, framing it as an early peace dividend under the August 8 Washington framework. Critics questioned the political nature of the deal, Georgia’s one-time transit waiver, lack of formal relations with Azerbaijan, and whether the fuel actually reduces dependence on Russia.

Fuel shipment report https://asbarez.com/first-shipment-of-azerbaijani-fuel-to-arrive-in-armenia/
Dependence on Russian imports https://www.rferl.org/a/armenia-azerbaijan-gasoline-russia-imports/33628610.html

T(rump)RIPP vs. P(utin)RIPP

Russia reasserted its claim over transit routes under the November 10, 2020 statement, signaling readiness to participate in the TRIPP project based on rail concessions, border guard presence, and Armenia’s EAEU membership. Pashinyan rejected Russian involvement, insisting TRIPP is a bilateral Armenia–U.S. initiative.

Armenpress report https://armenpress.am/en/article/1237639

Key Questions Discussed

Does Europe’s internal division over Ukraine signal a shift toward negotiations with Russia?
Did public resistance at Etchmiadzin represent a rare defeat for Pashinyan?
Is the campaign against the Church legal, political, or personal?
What purpose did the KGB “leak” serve, regardless of authenticity?
Is Azerbaijani fuel a genuine peace dividend or political theater?
Can Armenia realistically balance U.S. and Russian interests in TRIPP?

Links Referenced During The Show

Thoughts from the Participants

Hovik: Archbishop Hovnan Derderian should explain himself. Reflections on interview with Father Serob Azarian https://youtu.be/jaOys5ug8VE
Dziunik: Disrespect for the state and disrespect for the Church.

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.

Dziunik Aghajanian - EU Ukraine Rift, Church Siege, and TRIPP Power Games | Ep 498, Dec 21, 2025 [EP498]

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