Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan is set to meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington on Tuesday, where the two leaders are expected to sign a landmark document formalising a strategic partnership between Armenia and the United States.
The agreement marks a significant development in Armenia’s foreign policy, as the country continues to deepen its ties with Western powers, including the European Union. Armenia, traditionally an ally of Russia, has pivoted towards closer cooperation with the West in the aftermath of the 2023 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which saw Azerbaijan regain control of the region.
The strategic partnership with the US is viewed as part of Armenia’s broader efforts to diversify its alliances amidst deteriorating relations with Moscow. Analysts say this shift underscores a recalibration in the South Caucasus region, where Russia’s influence has waned following its military and economic challenges.
Meanwhile, Georgia finds itself on a divergent path. Once heralded as a frontrunner for European integration, Georgia has faced mounting criticism from Western allies over democratic backsliding.
In 2024, the European Union suspended Georgia’s accession process, citing regression in democratic reforms and failure to meet its obligations as an EU candidate country. Relations with the United States also soured, culminating in the suspension of the strategic partnership after the ruling Georgian Dream government delayed EU accession talks and cracked down on anti-government protests.
The parliamentary elections in October 2024, which saw Georgian Dream retain its majority, have been labelled fraudulent by opposition parties and Georgia’s President Salome Zourabichvili. Protests have since gripped the country, with demonstrators demanding the release of detained activists, renewed European integration efforts, and fresh elections.