Ukraine War

Last updated: June 11, 2026

The Russian Invasion and Its Timing

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 marked a strategic turning point whose consequences continue to reshape the South Caucasus. When Russia invaded Ukraine, it unleashed a war that would absorb Russian military capacity, provoke Western sanctions, and fundamentally alter Moscow’s ability to function as a regional hegemon. The Russia-Ukraine conflict, rather than remaining a European problem, became the primary lens through which Armenia had to recalculate its own security and geopolitical position. The Russian invasion of Ukraine came at the worst possible moment for Armenia—just as Yerevan was still reeling from the 2020 44-Day War , while Russian peacekeepers were deployed in Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh ), and while Armenia remained dependent on Moscow for security guarantees that were about to become far less credible.

Russia’s Constrained Capacity and the Credibility Crisis

The Ukraine war stretched Russian military capacity to near-breaking point, diminished Moscow’s leverage as a security guarantor in the South Caucasus, and accelerated the credibility crisis of the CSTO — the collective security alliance that Armenia had relied on since 1992. Russia’s preoccupation with Ukraine meant that Russia could not effectively deter Azerbaijan, could not rapidly resupply Armenian forces, and could not credibly threaten to intervene on Armenia’s behalf. The Russia-Ukraine conflict became a test of whether Russia’s security commitments to smaller states meant anything at all. The answers that emerged were sobering for states depending on Russian protection.

Beyond military constraints, the Ukraine war fundamentally altered Russia’s relationship with Azerbaijan . As Western sanctions isolated Russia from global energy markets, Azerbaijan became strategically indispensable: the country re-packaged Russian energy and resold it to Europeans who were formally sanctioning Russia, providing Moscow with a crucial workaround to maintain revenue flows. Additionally, Azerbaijan emerged as a vital land communication corridor between Russia and Iran and the broader Middle East—a route of growing importance as Russia faced isolation from Europe. These economic and logistical dependencies meant that Russia could not afford to pressure or punish Azerbaijan, even as Azerbaijan threatened Armenia. The Russia-Ukraine conflict thus inverted Russia’s incentives in the South Caucasus: rather than deterring Azerbaijani aggression, Russia had reasons to accommodate Azerbaijani interests.

Direct Impact on Armenia’s Security

For Armenia, the Ukraine War’s most direct and catastrophic consequence was the removal of Russia as an available security backstop at the moment Armenia needed one most. The September 2023 Azerbaijani offensive—which resulted in the ethnic cleansing of the entire Armenian population of Artsakh—occurred against a backdrop of Russian military preoccupation with Ukraine and diplomatic isolation from the West. The Russian peacekeeping force deployed in Artsakh under the November 2020 ceasefire could not prevent the 2023 operation. Russia’s attention was elsewhere; the Armenian population of Artsakh—120,000 people who had expected protection from the ceasefire agreement—were ultimately on their own. The war also disrupted Russian arms supplies to Armenia, cut off technology transfers, and made Moscow an unreliable partner for defense procurement. The Russia-Ukraine conflict thus forced Armenia to rapidly diversify its security partnerships and pursue weapons from France, India, and other sources—a process that would have taken far longer without the urgency imposed by Russian unavailability.

The Western Pivot

The Ukraine war shifted the strategic calculations for Armenia’s Western alignment. As Pashinyan and Civil Contract reassessed Armenia’s position in a world where Russia could not be trusted, the pivot toward France, the EU, India, and the United States became not just geopolitically logical but strategically imperative. The war in Ukraine provided political cover to justify Armenia’s reorientation—it was not ideological choice but strategic necessity. Western governments, for their part, saw in Armenia an opportunity to build leverage in the South Caucasus and to bind a historically Russian-aligned state closer to the Euro-Atlantic orbit. The Ukraine war thus became the catalyst for Armenia’s geopolitical realignment, though the realignment would remain incomplete and contested, particularly as Armenia continued to depend on Russian energy, trade, and historical ties.

Groong’s Coverage and Analysis

Groong covers the Ukraine War not as a standalone topic but as a variable that shapes every calculation in Armenian foreign policy. Episodes in this category examine how Russia’s military capacity, diplomatic constraints, and weakened regional position affect Russian behavior in the South Caucasus, whether the Russia-Ukraine conflict has fundamentally altered Armenia’s security environment, the viability of different negotiating formats for the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process , and the broader restructuring of European and Eurasian security that the war has accelerated. The conflict illuminates the reality that regional powers face new constraints in projecting influence, and that smaller states must continuously adapt their security strategies to changing circumstances beyond their control.

Groong episodes that include this tag

Below are all Groong episodes tagged with Ukraine War.

Armen Grigoryan in Gdańsk: Russia Reads Ukraine Conference Attendance as Frozen Asset Threat [EP562]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 1, 2026 | Category: Geopolitics, Armenia

Armen Grigoryan’s participation in a Ukraine reconstruction conference in Gdańsk signals to Russia that Armenia may be considering freezing Russian assets, escalating tensions.

Russia's Remittance Threat: $3-4 Billion That Keeps Armenia's Economy Afloat [EP562]

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 1, 2026 | Category: Economy, Russia, Armenia

Asbed reveals that remittances from Armenians working in Russia, totaling $3-4 billion annually, are the hidden pillar keeping Armenia’s currency and economy stable.

Arthur Martirosyan - After the Anger, What Next? | Ep 557, Jun 10, 2026 [EP557]

Posted on Thursday, Jun 11, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics | Series: cog, video

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Contested results and thresholds
  • Pashinyan’s post-election crackdown
  • Western backing and interference
  • Russia’s delayed pressure campaign
  • Opposition choices after the vote

Episode 557 | Recorded: June 9, 2026

#ArmenianElections #Armenia #NikolPashinyan #CivilContract #StrongArmenia #ArmenianOpposition

Arthur Martirosyan - After the Anger, What Next? | Ep 557, Jun 10, 2026 [EP557]

Posted on Thursday, Jun 11, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Contested results and thresholds
  • Pashinyan’s post-election crackdown
  • Western backing and interference
  • Russia’s delayed pressure campaign
  • Opposition choices after the vote

Episode 557 | Recorded: June 9, 2026

#ArmenianElections #Armenia #NikolPashinyan #CivilContract #StrongArmenia #ArmenianOpposition

Transcript: Arthur Martirosyan - After the Anger, What Next? | Ep 557, Jun 10, 2026 [EP557]

Posted on Thursday, Jun 11, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Transcript

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Arthur G. Martirosyan about Armenia’s contested 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election and Pashinyan’s path to a third term. We discuss whether the vote was free and fair, how state pressure and Western backing shaped the outcome, the razor-thin thresholds that determine parliamentary representation, Pashinyan’s post-election crackdown against the Established Opposition, and what a Civil Contract supermajority would mean for Armenia’s governance and the Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Process.

May 28, Rubio’s Armenia Deals, and the Cost of Strategic Drift | Ep 553, May 31, 2026 [EP553]

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 2, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Nagorno Karabakh, NATO, Artsakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Iran, Georgia | Series: wir, video

Topics:

  • May 28 and Statehood
  • Parade as Campaign Theater
  • Rubio’s Armenia Agreements
  • Minerals Without Guarantees
  • TRIPP Risks in Syunik
  • Russia and Iran Pushback
  • Election Climate and Repression

Episode 553 | Recorded: June 1, 2026

#Armenia #May28 #MarcoRubio #TRIPP #Syunik #CriticalMinerals #ElectionFraud #RussiaArmenia

May 28, Rubio’s Armenia Deals, and the Cost of Strategic Drift | Ep 553, May 31, 2026 [EP553]

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 2, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Nagorno Karabakh, NATO, Artsakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Iran, Georgia

Topics:

  • May 28 and Statehood
  • Parade as Campaign Theater
  • Rubio’s Armenia Agreements
  • Minerals Without Guarantees
  • TRIPP Risks in Syunik
  • Russia and Iran Pushback
  • Election Climate and Repression

Episode 553 | Recorded: June 1, 2026

#Armenia #May28 #MarcoRubio #TRIPP #Syunik #CriticalMinerals #ElectionFraud #RussiaArmenia

Transcript: May 28, Rubio’s Armenia Deals, and the Cost of Strategic Drift | Ep 553, May 31, 2026 [EP553]

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 2, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Nagorno Karabakh, NATO, Artsakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Iran, Georgia, Transcript

In this episode of Groong’s Week in Review, hosts Hovik and Asbed examine Armenia’s May 28 Independence Day parade as campaign theater, Marco Rubio’s push for critical minerals deals, and the strategic risks of TRIPP in Syunik. We discuss how Pashinyan’s military parade coincides with Armenian prisoners of war held hostage in Baku, the questionable financing of weapons through $8 billion in external debt, and the broader geopolitical pressures from Russia and Iran as Armenia heads into the 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election.

Anatol Lieven - Russia, Iran, Europe, and the Remaking of World Order | Ep 541, May 8, 2026 [EP541]

Posted on Friday, May 8, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Ukraine, Russia, European Union, Iran, Israel, China, Azerbaijan, Turkey | Series: cog

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Russia, Iran, Europe, multipolar order
  • Ukraine war and Russia-West tensions
  • Iran war and diplomatic offramps
  • Armenia, TRIPP, South Caucasus

Episode 541 | Recorded: May 5, 2026

#AnatolLieven #Russia #Iran #Europe #UkraineWar #SouthCaucasus

Anatol Lieven - Russia, Iran, Europe, and the Remaking of World Order | Ep 541, May 8, 2026 [EP541]

Posted on Friday, May 8, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Ukraine, Russia, European Union, Iran, Israel, China, Azerbaijan, Turkey

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Russia, Iran, Europe, multipolar order
  • Ukraine war and Russia-West tensions
  • Iran war and diplomatic offramps
  • Armenia, TRIPP, South Caucasus

Episode 541 | Recorded: May 5, 2026

#AnatolLieven #Russia #Iran #Europe #UkraineWar #SouthCaucasus

Transcript: Anatol Lieven - Russia, Iran, Europe, and the Remaking of World Order | Ep 541, May 8, 2026 [EP541]

Posted on Friday, May 8, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Ukraine, Russia, European Union, Iran, Israel, China, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Transcript

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, Dr. Anatol Lieven joins us to examine Russia’s place in a rapidly shifting global order. The discussion looks at the war in Ukraine, the state of Russia-EU relations after Viktor Orbán’s political defeat, and the uncertain trajectory of the war on Iran, including whether any real diplomatic offramp still exists. They also explore whether Russia’s relationship with Iran is truly strategic or mainly transactional, how China fits into the wider balance of power, and what all of this means for the South Caucasus, Armenia’s current path under Pashinyan, and Azerbaijan’s ambitions to turn wartime leverage into lasting regional influence.

Dmitry Suslov - War, Leverage, and Corridors, Russia’s View from All Fronts | Ep 534, Apr 25, 2026 [EP534]

Posted on Saturday, Apr 25, 2026 | Category: Geopolitics, Iran, World, Economy, Armenia, USA, China, Russia, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh Blockade, BRICS, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, European Union, Turkey | Series: cog, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran war dynamics and Russia’s role
  • Ukraine war and Europe’s militarization
  • Armenia’s pivot and Russia’s response
  • Regional power balance

Episode 534 | Recorded: April 21, 2026

Dmitry Suslov - War, Leverage, and Corridors, Russia’s View from All Fronts | Ep 534, Apr 25, 2026 [EP534]

Posted on Saturday, Apr 25, 2026 | Category: Geopolitics, Iran, World, Economy, Armenia, USA, China, Russia, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh Blockade, BRICS, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, European Union, Turkey

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran war dynamics and Russia’s role
  • Ukraine war and Europe’s militarization
  • Armenia’s pivot and Russia’s response
  • Regional power balance

Episode 534 | Recorded: April 21, 2026

Transcript: Dmitry Suslov - War, Leverage, and Corridors, Russia’s View from All Fronts | Ep 534, Apr 25, 2026 [EP534]

Posted on Saturday, Apr 25, 2026 | Category: Geopolitics, Iran, World, Economy, Armenia, USA, China, Russia, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh Blockade, BRICS, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, European Union, Turkey, Transcript

In this episode of the Groong podcast, we speak with Dr. Dmitry Suslov about the shifting geopolitical landscape across the Iran war, the Ukraine conflict, and the South Caucasus. We examine the fragile state of the Iran war and its impact on global trade and regional escalation, Russia’s strategic positioning, and the potential for a broader conflict involving Azerbaijan and Turkey. The discussion then turns to the Ukraine war, focusing on attrition, Europe’s growing militarization, and the prospects for a long-term Russia–Europe confrontation. Finally, we explore Russia’s policy in the South  Read More

Pietro Shakarian - Iran War, Armenia and Russia, June Parliamentary Elections | Ep 529, Apr 4, 2026 [EP529]

Posted on Saturday, Apr 4, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Israel, Nagorno Karabakh, BRICS, European Union, Ukraine, NATO | Series: cog

Guest:

Topics:

  • The Iran War and Its Global Impacts
  • Armenia-Russia Relations
  • Parliamentary Elections in Armenia

Episode 529 | Recorded on April 3, 2026

#IranIsraelWar #IsraelIranConflict #IsraelConflict #Armenia #MiddleEastCrisis #ArmeniaElections #PietroShakarian #TRIPP

Pietro Shakarian - Iran War, Armenia and Russia, June Parliamentary Elections | Ep 529, Apr 4, 2026 [EP529]

Posted on Saturday, Apr 4, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Israel, Nagorno Karabakh, BRICS, European Union, Ukraine, NATO

Guest:

Topics:

  • The Iran War and Its Global Impacts
  • Armenia-Russia Relations
  • Parliamentary Elections in Armenia

Episode 529 | Recorded on April 3, 2026

#IranIsraelWar #IsraelIranConflict #IsraelConflict #Armenia #MiddleEastCrisis #ArmeniaElections #PietroShakarian #TRIPP

Transcript: Pietro Shakarian - Iran War, Armenia and Russia, June Parliamentary Elections | Ep 529, Apr 4, 2026 [EP529]

Posted on Saturday, Apr 4, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Israel, Nagorno Karabakh, BRICS, European Union, Ukraine, NATO, Transcript

Dr. Pietro Shakarian joined us to discuss the state of the U.S.-Israel war on Iran, the shrinking chances for a diplomatic off-ramp, and how the conflict is shifting wider Eurasian politics. The conversation then turned to Armenia, including the likely freezing of TRIPP amid the Iran war, Pashinyan’s contentious visit to Moscow, and the deeper low point in Armenia-Russia relations. The final section focused on Armenia’s June parliamentary elections, public sentiment toward Pashinyan, fears over election integrity, and the evolving opposition landscape.

Scott Horton - Why Are We at War with Iran? | Ep 523, Mar 20, 2026 [EP523]

Posted on Friday, Mar 20, 2026 | Category: Politics, US, Iran, Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh, China, NATO | Series: cog, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Why this war began
  • U.S. fallout and political costs
  • Paths to wider regional escalation

Episode 523 | Recorded: March 19, 2026

#IranWar #ScottHorton #USIsrael #MiddleEastWar #Geopolitics

Scott Horton - Why Are We at War with Iran? | Ep 523, Mar 20, 2026 [EP523]

Posted on Friday, Mar 20, 2026 | Category: Politics, US, Iran, Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh, China, NATO

Guest:

Topics:

  • Why this war began
  • U.S. fallout and political costs
  • Paths to wider regional escalation

Episode 523 | Recorded: March 19, 2026

#IranWar #ScottHorton #USIsrael #MiddleEastWar #Geopolitics

Transcript: Scott Horton - Why Are We at War with Iran? | Ep 523, Mar 20, 2026 [EP523]

Posted on Friday, Mar 20, 2026 | Category: Politics, US, Iran, Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh, China, NATO, Transcript

Scott Horton joins us to examine the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, asking how this war began, what strategic goals are driving it, and where it could lead next. We discuss the limits of air power, the risk of a wider or ground war, the longer arc of U.S. and Israeli policy toward Iran and Syria, Turkey’s role in the region, and the domestic political consequences inside the United States as Trump presses ahead without broad public or congressional support.

Hrant Mikaelian - Iran War, Effect on Armenia, Sumgait Pogroms | Ep 520, Mar 1, 2026 [EP520]

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 4, 2026 | Category: Iran, Armenia, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Iran, USA, Israel, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, China, BRICS, Ukraine, Middle East, Geopolitics, NATO, Syria | Series: wir, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • US and Israel launch war against Iran
  • Decapitation strikes, mass civilian casualties
  • Iran retaliates region-wide, war expands
  • Armenia leadership silent
  • Sumgait remembered

Episode 520 | Recorded: March 3, 2026

#IranWar #EpicFury #MiddleEastWar #ArmeniaForeignPolicy #Sumgait1988 #IranIsraelConflict

Hrant Mikaelian - Iran War, Effect on Armenia, Sumgait Pogroms | Ep 520, Mar 1, 2026 [EP520]

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 4, 2026 | Category: Iran, Armenia, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Iran, USA, Israel, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, China, BRICS, Ukraine, Middle East, Geopolitics, NATO, Syria

Guest:

Topics:

  • US and Israel launch war against Iran
  • Decapitation strikes, mass civilian casualties
  • Iran retaliates region-wide, war expands
  • Armenia leadership silent
  • Sumgait remembered

Episode 520 | Recorded: March 3, 2026

#IranWar #EpicFury #MiddleEastWar #ArmeniaForeignPolicy #Sumgait1988 #IranIsraelConflict

Andrei Tsygankov - Canceling Russia and The Towers of the Kremlin | Ep 514, Feb 5, 2026 [EP514]

Posted on Thursday, Feb 5, 2026 | Category: Russia, Politics, Geopolitics, BRICS, Ukraine, Economy, NATO, Armenia, Georgia, China, European Union, Iran, Israel | Series: cog, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Defining the “Canceling Russia” phenomenon
  • The “cancel Russia” lobby
  • Containment shifts to coercive transformation
  • Russian Orthodox Church as battleground
  • Kremlin “towers” and civilizational logic

Episode 514 | Recorded: February 4, 2026

#CancelingRussia #RussianForeignPolicy #UkraineWar #StateCivilization #TowersOfTheKremlin #RussianOrthodoxChurch

Andrei Tsygankov - Canceling Russia and The Towers of the Kremlin | Ep 514, Feb 5, 2026 [EP514]

Posted on Thursday, Feb 5, 2026 | Category: Russia, Politics, Geopolitics, BRICS, Ukraine, Economy, NATO, Armenia, Georgia, China, European Union, Iran, Israel

Guest:

Topics:

  • Defining the “Canceling Russia” phenomenon
  • The “cancel Russia” lobby
  • Containment shifts to coercive transformation
  • Russian Orthodox Church as battleground
  • Kremlin “towers” and civilizational logic

Episode 514 | Recorded: February 4, 2026

#CancelingRussia #RussianForeignPolicy #UkraineWar #StateCivilization #TowersOfTheKremlin #RussianOrthodoxChurch

Pietro Shakarian - Iran, Russia, and the Geopolitics of Post-Soviet Eurasia | Ep 506, Jan 16, 2026 [EP506]

Posted on Friday, Jan 16, 2026 | Category: Armenia, History, Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Israel, Nagorno Karabakh, BRICS, European Union, Syria, China, Ukraine, Genocide, India, NATO, Georgia, Middle East, Human Rights | Series: cog

Guest:

Topics:

  • Unrest in Iran
  • Russia-Iran Partnership
  • Solovyov’s Statements
  • Trump’s “TRIPP Wire” in the Caucasus
  • Release of Armenian hostages

Episode 506 | Recorded on January 14, 2026

Pietro Shakarian - Iran, Russia, and the Geopolitics of Post-Soviet Eurasia | Ep 506, Jan 16, 2026 [EP506]

Posted on Friday, Jan 16, 2026 | Category: Armenia, History, Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Israel, Nagorno Karabakh, BRICS, European Union, Syria, China, Ukraine, Genocide, India, NATO, Georgia, Middle East, Human Rights

Guest:

Topics:

  • Unrest in Iran
  • Russia-Iran Partnership
  • Solovyov’s Statements
  • Trump’s “TRIPP Wire” in the Caucasus
  • Release of Armenian hostages

Episode 506 | Recorded on January 14, 2026

Arthur Martirosyan - Ukraine, Iran, Baku Pogroms, Church Clash | Ep 505, Jan 11, 2026 [EP505]

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 14, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Ukraine, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, USA, Armenian Genocide, Artsakh Blockade, European Union, Iran, Israel, Economy, Georgia, Middle East, Syria, China, Genocide | Series: wir, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Ukraine war’s global cost to Russia
  • Iran unrest and war risk
  • Remembering the Baku pogroms
  • Russia-Armenia tensions and media threats
  • Pashinyan’s clash with Armenian Church

Episode 505 | Recorded: January 13, 2026

Arthur Martirosyan - Ukraine, Iran, Baku Pogroms, Church Clash | Ep 505, Jan 11, 2026 [EP505]

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 14, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Ukraine, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, USA, Armenian Genocide, Artsakh Blockade, European Union, Iran, Israel, Economy, Georgia, Middle East, Syria, China, Genocide

Guest:

Topics:

  • Ukraine war’s global cost to Russia
  • Iran unrest and war risk
  • Remembering the Baku pogroms
  • Russia-Armenia tensions and media threats
  • Pashinyan’s clash with Armenian Church

Episode 505 | Recorded: January 13, 2026

Benyamin Poghosyan - Ukraine, Iran, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, TRIPP, Review & Outlook | Ep 500, Dec 28, 2025 [EP500]

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 31, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Geopolitics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Israel, Iran, Armenian Church, Ukraine, Georgia, China, NATO, Economy, European Union, Syria, India, Middle East, Genocide, Lebanon | Series: video, wir

Guest:

Topics:

  • Foreign Crises Affecting Armenia
  • Armenia-Azerbaijan Saga
  • Russia and TRIPP
  • Change of US Ambassador
  • Year-End Review & Outlook

Episode 500 | Recorded: December 31, 2025

Benyamin Poghosyan - Ukraine, Iran, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, TRIPP, Review & Outlook | Ep 500, Dec 28, 2025 [EP500]

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 31, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Geopolitics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Israel, Iran, Armenian Church, Ukraine, Georgia, China, NATO, Economy, European Union, Syria, India, Middle East, Genocide, Lebanon

Guest:

Topics:

  • Foreign Crises Affecting Armenia
  • Armenia-Azerbaijan Saga
  • Russia and TRIPP
  • Change of US Ambassador
  • Year-End Review & Outlook

Episode 500 | Recorded: December 31, 2025

Harry Istepanian - Venezuela’s Oil and the Global Power Struggle | Ep 495, Dec 14, 2025 [EP495]

Posted on Sunday, Dec 14, 2025 | Category: Geopolitics, Armenia, China, Ukraine, Russia, Middle East, Iran, Israel, Azerbaijan, Economy, India, Turkey | Series: cog, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Venezuela’s oil and US pressure
  • Trump, oil prices, and OPEC+
  • Middle East fallout from cheap oil
  • Ukraine war and Iran conflict stakes

Episode 495 | Recorded: December 11, 2025

#Venezuela #OilPolitics #Geopolitics #USForeignPolicy #EnergyWars

Harry Istepanian - Venezuela’s Oil and the Global Power Struggle | Ep 495, Dec 14, 2025 [EP495]

Posted on Sunday, Dec 14, 2025 | Category: Geopolitics, Armenia, China, Ukraine, Russia, Middle East, Iran, Israel, Azerbaijan, Economy, India, Turkey

Guest:

Topics:

  • Venezuela’s oil and US pressure
  • Trump, oil prices, and OPEC+
  • Middle East fallout from cheap oil
  • Ukraine war and Iran conflict stakes

Episode 495 | Recorded: December 11, 2025

#Venezuela #OilPolitics #Geopolitics #USForeignPolicy #EnergyWars

Eldar Mamedov - The Global Geopolitics Surrounding the South Caucasus | Ep 492, Dec 1, 2025 [EP492]

Posted on Monday, Dec 1, 2025 | Category: World Order, TRIPP, Armenia, USA, Iran, Israel, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, NATO, European Union, Middle East, Syria, Geopolitics, China, Lebanon | Series: cog, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • US and Venezuela
  • Potential for New War on Iran
  • Is Azerbaijan a “Middle Power”?
  • Europe’s Confused Geopolitical Identity
  • Armenia’s Confused Geopolitics

Episode 492 | Recorded: November 29, 2025

#IranCrisis #AzerbaijanPolitics #EuropeanGeopolitics #ArmeniaSecurity #SouthCaucasus #GlobalPowerPolitics

Eldar Mamedov - The Global Geopolitics Surrounding the South Caucasus | Ep 492, Dec 1, 2025 [EP492]

Posted on Monday, Dec 1, 2025 | Category: World Order, TRIPP, Armenia, USA, Iran, Israel, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, NATO, European Union, Middle East, Syria, Geopolitics, China, Lebanon

Guest:

Topics:

  • US and Venezuela
  • Potential for New War on Iran
  • Is Azerbaijan a “Middle Power”?
  • Europe’s Confused Geopolitical Identity
  • Armenia’s Confused Geopolitics

Episode 492 | Recorded: November 29, 2025

#IranCrisis #AzerbaijanPolitics #EuropeanGeopolitics #ArmeniaSecurity #SouthCaucasus #GlobalPowerPolitics

Matt Hoh - What Happened to America First, Ukraine, Gaza, TRIPP in Armenia and other US Adventures | Ep 491 - Nov 30, 2025 [EP491]

Posted on Sunday, Nov 30, 2025 | Category: USA, World Order, TRIPP, Ukraine, Israel, Russia, China, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh Blockade, Armenia, Iran, Middle East, Economy, NATO, Genocide, Geopolitics, Human Rights | Series: cog, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Venezuela
  • Ukraine War
  • Gaza
  • TRIPP in Armenia

Episode 491 | Recorded: November 29, 2025

#Venezuela #AmericaFirst #USForeignPolicy #TRIPP #UkraineWar

Matt Hoh - What Happened to America First, Ukraine, Gaza, TRIPP in Armenia and other US Adventures | Ep 491 - Nov 30, 2025 [EP491]

Posted on Sunday, Nov 30, 2025 | Category: USA, World Order, TRIPP, Ukraine, Israel, Russia, China, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh Blockade, Armenia, Iran, Middle East, Economy, NATO, Genocide, Geopolitics, Human Rights

Guest:

Topics:

  • Venezuela
  • Ukraine War
  • Gaza
  • TRIPP in Armenia

Episode 491 | Recorded: November 29, 2025

#Venezuela #AmericaFirst #USForeignPolicy #TRIPP #UkraineWar

Sergei Melkonian - Ukraine, Iran & Israel, C5+1 in DC, Vagharshapat Municipal Outcome | Ep 486, Nov 16, 2025 [EP486]

Posted on Tuesday, Nov 18, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Iran, Israel, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenian Church, Syria, Ukraine, China, Middle East, NATO, Economy, European Union, Geopolitics, India | Series: wir, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Ukraine and Iran-Israel Conflicts
  • C5+1 in Washington DC
  • Vagharshapat/Etchmiadzin Municipal

Episode 486 | Recorded: November 17, 2025

Sergei Melkonian - Ukraine, Iran & Israel, C5+1 in DC, Vagharshapat Municipal Outcome | Ep 486, Nov 16, 2025 [EP486]

Posted on Tuesday, Nov 18, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Iran, Israel, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenian Church, Syria, Ukraine, China, Middle East, NATO, Economy, European Union, Geopolitics, India

Guest:

Topics:

  • Ukraine and Iran-Israel Conflicts
  • C5+1 in Washington DC
  • Vagharshapat/Etchmiadzin Municipal

Episode 486 | Recorded: November 17, 2025

Arthur Martirosyan - 44 Day War, Ukraine, Iran-Israel, Sargsyan and Kocharyan Interviews, Narek Karapetyan on Tucker Carlson | Ep 484, Nov 9, 2025 [EP484]

Posted on Tuesday, Nov 11, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Iran, Israel, Ukraine, Middle East, NATO, Georgia, European Union | Series: wir, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Nov 9: 44-Day War 5 years Hence
  • Ukraine and Iran-Israel Conflicts
  • Pres. Serge Sargsyan’s Interview
  • Pres. Robert Kocharyan’s Interview
  • Narek Karapetyan on Tucker Carlson

Episode 484 | Recorded: November 10, 2025

Arthur Martirosyan - 44 Day War, Ukraine, Iran-Israel, Sargsyan and Kocharyan Interviews, Narek Karapetyan on Tucker Carlson | Ep 484, Nov 9, 2025 [EP484]

Posted on Tuesday, Nov 11, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Iran, Israel, Ukraine, Middle East, NATO, Georgia, European Union

Guest:

Topics:

  • Nov 9: 44-Day War 5 years Hence
  • Ukraine and Iran-Israel Conflicts
  • Pres. Serge Sargsyan’s Interview
  • Pres. Robert Kocharyan’s Interview
  • Narek Karapetyan on Tucker Carlson

Episode 484 | Recorded: November 10, 2025

Benyamin  Poghosyan - Ukraine War update, Pashinyan’s Persecution of Church and Opposition intensifies | Ep 483, Nov 2, 2025 [EP483]

Posted on Tuesday, Nov 4, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Ukraine, Russia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, USA, Armenian Church, Artsakh Blockade, China, Economy, Genocide, India, Iran, Middle East, NATO | Series: video, wir

Guest:

Topics:

  • Ukraine war status and U.S.–Russia dynamics
  • Church–state tensions and religious prosecutions
  • Opposition arrests, trials, and civil liberties
  • Border demarcation, enclaves

Episode 483 | Recorded: November 3, 2025

Benyamin  Poghosyan - Ukraine War update, Pashinyan’s Persecution of Church and Opposition intensifies | Ep 483, Nov 2, 2025 [EP483]

Posted on Tuesday, Nov 4, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Ukraine, Russia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, USA, Armenian Church, Artsakh Blockade, China, Economy, Genocide, India, Iran, Middle East, NATO

Guest:

Topics:

  • Ukraine war status and U.S.–Russia dynamics
  • Church–state tensions and religious prosecutions
  • Opposition arrests, trials, and civil liberties
  • Border demarcation, enclaves

Episode 483 | Recorded: November 3, 2025

Arthur Khachatryan - Euronest, Aliyev Transit Move, Gyumri Mayor Arrest, Pashinyan vs. Church | Ep 481, Oct 26, 2025 [EP481]

Posted on Friday, Oct 31, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Azerbaijan, Armenian Church, Georgia, Turkey, Russia, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh Blockade, European Union, Ukraine, NATO | Series: wir

Guest:

Topics:

  • Euronest session takeaways
  • Aliyev’s transit move and TRIPP
  • Gyumri mayor arrest fallout
  • Pashinyan’s push to control the Church

Episode 481 | Recorded: October 29, 2025

Arthur Khachatryan - Euronest, Aliyev Transit Move, Gyumri Mayor Arrest, Pashinyan vs. Church | Ep 481, Oct 26, 2025 [EP481]

Posted on Friday, Oct 31, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Azerbaijan, Armenian Church, Georgia, Turkey, Russia, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh Blockade, European Union, Ukraine, NATO

Guest:

Topics:

  • Euronest session takeaways
  • Aliyev’s transit move and TRIPP
  • Gyumri mayor arrest fallout
  • Pashinyan’s push to control the Church

Episode 481 | Recorded: October 29, 2025

Dziunik Aghajanian - Ukraine, Israel-Gaza, Armenian Government Repressions | Ep 479, Oct 19, 2025 [EP479]

Posted on Tuesday, Oct 21, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Turkey, Russia, Israel, Iran, Armenian Church, Middle East, NATO, Syria, Genocide, European Union, China, Human Rights, Lebanon, India | Series: wir, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Ukraine War, Trump - Putin Upcoming Summit
  • Israel-Gaza “Cease Fire”
  • Armenian Government Repressions Accelerate

Episode 479 | Recorded: October 20, 2025

Dziunik Aghajanian - Ukraine, Israel-Gaza, Armenian Government Repressions | Ep 479, Oct 19, 2025 [EP479]

Posted on Tuesday, Oct 21, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Turkey, Russia, Israel, Iran, Armenian Church, Middle East, NATO, Syria, Genocide, European Union, China, Human Rights, Lebanon, India

Guest:

Topics:

  • Ukraine War, Trump - Putin Upcoming Summit
  • Israel-Gaza “Cease Fire”
  • Armenian Government Repressions Accelerate

Episode 479 | Recorded: October 20, 2025

Benyamin Poghosyan - Ajapahyan Sentenced, Moldova, EPC, Peace Act, Dismantling the Armenian Military | Ep 477, Oct 5, 2025 [EP477]

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 8, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Armenian Church, Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Israel, European Union, Turkey, China, Economy | Series: video, wir

Guest:

Topics:

  • Ajapahyan Sentenced: 2 Years in Jail for speaking out!
  • Moldova Election Lessons
  • EPC in Copenhagen, WSF in Warsaw
  • PEACE Act politics
  • Dismantling the Armenian Military

Episode 477 | Recorded: October 6, 2025

Benyamin Poghosyan - Ajapahyan Sentenced, Moldova, EPC, Peace Act, Dismantling the Armenian Military | Ep 477, Oct 5, 2025 [EP477]

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 8, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Armenian Church, Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Israel, European Union, Turkey, China, Economy

Guest:

Topics:

  • Ajapahyan Sentenced: 2 Years in Jail for speaking out!
  • Moldova Election Lessons
  • EPC in Copenhagen, WSF in Warsaw
  • PEACE Act politics
  • Dismantling the Armenian Military

Episode 477 | Recorded: October 6, 2025

44-Day War, A Tale of Betrayal | Ep 476, Sep 28, 2025 [EP476]

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 1, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Genocide, NATO, Ukraine, Georgia, Iran, China | Series: wir, video

Topics:

  • Pashinyan’s rise and Western backing
  • Breakdown of talks and secret meetings
  • Failures and propaganda during the war
  • Aftermath, revisionism, and political responsibility

Episode 476 | Recorded: September 28, 2025

44-Day War, A Tale of Betrayal | Ep 476, Sep 28, 2025 [EP476]

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 1, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Genocide, NATO, Ukraine, Georgia, Iran, China

Topics:

  • Pashinyan’s rise and Western backing
  • Breakdown of talks and secret meetings
  • Failures and propaganda during the war
  • Aftermath, revisionism, and political responsibility

Episode 476 | Recorded: September 28, 2025

Archil Sikharulidze - Georgian Municipal Elections 2025 | Ep 475, Sep 30, 2025 [EP475]

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 30, 2025 | Category: Georgia, Politics, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, European Union, Iran, Ukraine, Turkey, Middle East, NATO, Human Rights | Series: cog

Guest:

Topics:

  • Municipal Elections & Tbilisi Politics
  • Foreign Agent Law, One Year Later
  • Georgian Perspectives on TRIPP

Episode 475 | Recorded: September 28, 2025

Archil Sikharulidze - Georgian Municipal Elections 2025 | Ep 475, Sep 30, 2025 [EP475]

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 30, 2025 | Category: Georgia, Politics, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, European Union, Iran, Ukraine, Turkey, Middle East, NATO, Human Rights

Guest:

Topics:

  • Municipal Elections & Tbilisi Politics
  • Foreign Agent Law, One Year Later
  • Georgian Perspectives on TRIPP

Episode 475 | Recorded: September 28, 2025

Jeffrey Sachs - TRIPP down Zangezur Corridor | Ep 466, Aug 29, 2025 [EP466]

Posted on Friday, Aug 29, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Geopolitics, Azerbaijan, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Russia, Iran, Turkey, Georgia, USA, Economy, Israel, European Union, NATO | Series: cog, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Pashinyan, Aliyev, in the White House
  • What “Peace”?
  • Armenian Economy

Episode 466 | Recorded: August 28, 2025

Jeffrey Sachs - TRIPP down Zangezur Corridor | Ep 466, Aug 29, 2025 [EP466]

Posted on Friday, Aug 29, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Geopolitics, Azerbaijan, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Russia, Iran, Turkey, Georgia, USA, Economy, Israel, European Union, NATO

Guest:

Topics:

  • Pashinyan, Aliyev, in the White House
  • What “Peace”?
  • Armenian Economy

Episode 466 | Recorded: August 28, 2025

Transcript: Jeffrey Sachs - TRIPP down Zangezur Corridor | Ep 466, Aug 29, 2025 [EP466]

Posted on Friday, Aug 29, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Geopolitics, Azerbaijan, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Russia, Iran, Turkey, Georgia, USA, Economy, Israel, European Union, NATO, Transcript

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, renowned economist Jeffrey Sachs joins to discuss the U.S.-brokered “TRIPP” (Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity), also known as the Zangezur Corridor. The discussion covers the risks of foreign powers imposing corridors through Armenia, the muted response from Moscow, Tehran’s strong opposition, and what this means for regional security. Sachs stresses that Armenia should not look to distant powers like the United States for security or stability, but instead pursue prudent arrangements and economic cooperation with its immediate  Read More

Sergei Melkonian - Alaska Summit, Trump Corridor, Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Our Way | Ep 463, Aug 17, 2025 [EP463]

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 19, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Geopolitics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Syria, Armenian Church, NATO | Series: wir, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Trump-Putin Alaska Summit
  • Trump Corridor Politics
  • Russian-Azerbaijani Relations
  • Russian-Iranian Recalibration
  • New Opposition Emerging - Our Way

Episode 463 | Recorded: August 18, 2025

Sergei Melkonian - Alaska Summit, Trump Corridor, Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Our Way | Ep 463, Aug 17, 2025 [EP463]

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 19, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Geopolitics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Syria, Armenian Church, NATO

Guest:

Topics:

  • Trump-Putin Alaska Summit
  • Trump Corridor Politics
  • Russian-Azerbaijani Relations
  • Russian-Iranian Recalibration
  • New Opposition Emerging - Our Way

Episode 463 | Recorded: August 18, 2025

Hamid Bahrami - Iran and the corridor through Syunik, Armenia | Ep 461, Aug 16, 2025 [EP461]

Posted on Saturday, Aug 16, 2025 | Category: Iran, Geopolitics, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, China, Turkey, Israel, Nagorno Karabakh, NATO, Ukraine, Syria, Middle East, Georgia | Series: cog, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • TRIPP Corridor & US Involvement
  • US-Israel Strategy & War Risks
  • Iran’s Missed Opportunities & Shifts
  • Future of Iran–Armenia Relations

Episode 461 | Recorded: August 13, 2025

Hamid Bahrami - Iran and the corridor through Syunik, Armenia | Ep 461, Aug 16, 2025 [EP461]

Posted on Saturday, Aug 16, 2025 | Category: Iran, Geopolitics, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, China, Turkey, Israel, Nagorno Karabakh, NATO, Ukraine, Syria, Middle East, Georgia

Guest:

Topics:

  • TRIPP Corridor & US Involvement
  • US-Israel Strategy & War Risks
  • Iran’s Missed Opportunities & Shifts
  • Future of Iran–Armenia Relations

Episode 461 | Recorded: August 13, 2025

Douglas MacGregor & Christine Arakelian - Armenia in the Crosshairs of US Geopolitical Winds | Ep 460, Aug 12, 2025 [EP460]

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 12, 2025 | Category: Georgia, Politics, Armenia, USA, Israel, Iran, Russia, Turkey, Syria, India, China, Ukraine, BRICS, SCO | Series: cog, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • US Geopolitics
  • #Gaza, #Iran, #Russia, #Ukraine
  • #DonaldTrump, #Pashinyan, #Aliyev meet in the #WhiteHouse

Episode 460 | Recorded: August 11, 2025