AZE.US
Tensions are rising between Russia and Armenia after Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan raised the possibility of nationalizing the country’s railway system or transferring its management to a third party.
Russian officials responded swiftly, signaling that Moscow views any attempt to replace the current operator as unrealistic and potentially destabilizing. They warned that “poorly calculated decisions” could lead to serious consequences, though no specific measures were outlined.
Armenia’s railway network has been operated by a Russian company under a concession agreement signed in 2008, granting management rights through 2038. At the time, Armenia’s rail infrastructure was described as being in severe decline, and Russian Railways won a tender to rehabilitate and operate the system.
The renewed debate over control of the railway comes amid broader geopolitical recalibration in the South Caucasus. Armenia has in recent years sought to diversify its foreign partnerships, expanding ties with the European Union and the United States while its traditionally close relationship with Moscow has cooled.
Railways are considered a strategic asset in landlocked Armenia, linking the country to regional trade routes and serving as a key logistical corridor. Any shift in management could therefore carry economic and political implications beyond the transport sector.
Legal experts note that, in principle, Armenia retains sovereign authority to revisit concession agreements through legislative and contractual mechanisms. However, doing so could trigger legal disputes, compensation claims, or diplomatic friction.
Analysts say Moscow’s rhetoric reflects concern over diminishing leverage in Armenia. Still, they caution that strong public statements do not necessarily translate into immediate escalation.
For now, no formal steps have been announced by Yerevan to terminate or amend the concession agreement. The coming weeks may determine whether the issue remains rhetorical pressure – or becomes a concrete restructuring of influence in one of the region’s most sensitive sectors.