Lead

Speaking with FRANCE 24's Sharon Gaffney, Anna Ohanyan, Richard B. Finnegan Distinguished Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Stonehill College, offered a nuanced reading of Armenia's current foreign policy trajectory. She argued that the notion of "Armenia pivoting from Russia to Europe is a misconception," and that the country is instead engaged in a broader diversification of its international relationships.

Coverage comparison

France 24's coverage, which formed the basis of this report, highlighted Professor Ohanyan's contention that Russia's approach to Armenia is shaped by a "geopolitical binary." The outlet also featured Taline Papazian, a French Armenian political scientist and strategic affairs analyst covering Armenia and the South Caucasus, who serves as Director of the Armenia Peace Initiative Think Tank.

Key claims

  • Anna Ohanyan, a distinguished professor at Stonehill College, told FRANCE 24 that the common framing of Armenia as pivoting from Russia to Europe is a "misconception."
  • She stated that President Putin is attempting to apply his "geopolitical binary" to Armenia.
  • In reality, Professor Ohanyan said, Armenia "is diversifying its foreign policy" and "is emerging from Russia's peripheral state to a sovereign and independent state."
  • Taline Papazian, director of the Armenia Peace Initiative Think Tank, also appeared in France 24's reporting, though her specific comments were not detailed in the material provided.