US president Donald Trump congratulated Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinyan on his Civil Contract party’s “decisive victory” in the recent national election despite alleged interference by Russia.
Mr Pashinyan’s party secured a parliamentary majority with 49.8 per cent of the vote.
“I was very proud to have endorsed him for re-election,” Mr Trump posted on social media, “and have no doubt that, with him as the leader of the beautiful country of Armenia, it’ll attain levels of greatness and success beyond everyone’s wildest expectations!”
The re-election came amid escalating pressure from Russia on the South Caucasus nation, which Moscow once governed. Since taking power in 2018, Mr Pashinyan has pursued European Union membership and fostered closer ties with Washington.
Russia, which has imposed wide-ranging trade restrictions on Armenia, accused the West of interfering in the vote and joined the country’s opposition in alleging election violations. On Wednesday, Moscow said the question of whether Armenia remained part of both a military alliance of former Soviet states and a separate economic grouping must be settled quickly.
Russia has also requested suspension of certification for most Armenian fish exporters, shifting trout sourcing to Iran and Turkey, the TASS news agency reported, citing agriculture watchdog chief Sergei Dankvert.
