Zelenskyy’s Potential Visit to Yerevan: A Catalyst for New Challenges for Armenia
Yerevan, April 29 – Vahe Hovhannisyan, a member of the ‘Alternative Projects’ group, expressed concerns on his Facebook page today regarding the potential consequences of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Yerevan for the upcoming 8th summit of the European Political Community. Hovhannisyan suggests that such a visit could fundamentally alter the nature of the summit and create significant challenges for Armenia.
A Shift in the Summit’s Dynamics
According to Hovhannisyan, while Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan likely intended this summit as a key event in his pre-election campaign, Zelenskyy’s presence would dramatically shift the focus. Following an unexpected visit to Azerbaijan on April 25, the probability of Zelenskyy also visiting Yerevan is high. This, Hovhannisyan argues, would change both the substantive and PR content of the Yerevan event.
“As strange as it may seem, Pashinyan personally suffers the most from Zelenskyy’s possible visit to this event,” Hovhannisyan stated. He elaborated that Zelenskyy in Yerevan would mean the Ukrainian President becoming the main actor, with his image, his war, and his objective position of being more interesting to Europe taking center stage.
Armenia as an Anti-Russian Epicenter
Hovhannisyan further warned that Zelenskyy’s presence in Yerevan would effectively transform Armenia into an “anti-Russian epicenter” for several days. He also highlighted the potential for such a visit to provoke an undisguised irritation among at least three neighboring states: Iran, Georgia, and even Turkey, due to Zelenskyy’s statements.
“If, nevertheless, Zelenskyy arrives in Yerevan within the framework of the 8th summit of the European Political Community and participates in its work, then the atmosphere around Armenia and in Armenia will change,” Hovhannisyan emphasized. He predicted an immediate reaction from Russia, which is in direct conflict with Ukraine. Russia, he noted, would undoubtedly take certain retaliatory steps in response to any anti-Russian displays, especially if calls for creating new anti-Russian strongholds emerge. “Armenian voters will also feel this,” he added.
European Indifference and Internal Changes
Hovhannisyan criticized European leaders, stating they are “deeply indifferent to the possible consequences for Armenia.” He pointed out that Armenia has witnessed this indifference over the past five to six years. He believes Zelenskyy would likely seize the opportunity to gain PR among the European community, and European elites would gladly showcase anti-Russian sentiment in Yerevan. “What will Armenia get from all this? New problems,” Hovhannisyan concluded, highlighting the paradox that even Pashinyan would not benefit from such a scenario where the main actor changes.
“After beautiful, sharp speeches, they will return to their countries to deal with their serious internal problems. We will get a new reality with great potential for tension, and consequently, certain changes in internal sentiments,” Hovhannisyan concluded, painting a grim picture of the aftermath of such a high-profile visit.
Source: Vahe Hovhannisyan’s Facebook post
