Armenia has commenced joint military exercises with the United States in an operation known as the “Eagle Partner” war games. The purpose of these drills, according to Armenia’s Defense Minister Suren Papikyan, is to enhance the coordination of units participating in international peacekeeping missions. Participating in the exercises are Armenian peacekeeping forces, members of the U.S. Army Europe and Africa, and the Kansas National Guard, although the exact number of troops involved has not been disclosed. The drills are scheduled to run until July 24.
Historically reliant on Russia as its principal economic partner and ally following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Armenia’s relationship with Moscow has deteriorated. This shift began after Azerbaijan successfully seized the Karabakh region following a swift military campaign, bringing an end to three decades of ethnic Armenian separatist governance. The Armenian government accused Russian peacekeepers deployed to Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020 of failing to prevent Azerbaijan’s advance, a claim Moscow refuted on the grounds that its troops lacked the authority to intervene.
As Armenia distances itself from Russian-dominated alliances, particularly by challenging Moscow’s dominance in the region, tensions with Russia have escalated. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s pursuit of deepening ties with the West has irked Russian officials, with Armenia even opting to freeze its involvement in Russian-led security alliances, abstain from joint military exercises, and skip bloc summits. Notably, Moscow criticized Armenia’s decision to participate in the International Criminal Court, which indicted Russian President Vladimir Putin for alleged war crimes linked to Russia’s conflict in Ukraine.
In response to a growing rift with Russia, Armenia’s strategic shifts have stirred dissatisfaction in Moscow. By ascending closer to the United States and other Western allies, Armenia is signaling a departure from its longstanding allegiance to Russia and a pivot towards fostering stronger ties with Western nations. This shift in geopolitical alignment is exemplified by Armenia’s participation in the “Eagle Partner” military drills, a move that underlines the nation’s ongoing efforts to reposition itself on the global stage.