This article was originally published by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and is reprinted with permission.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian and Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 8 announced an agreement that will see Russian border guards withdraw from the Armenian-Iranian frontier checkpoint as of January 1, 2025.
Under the deal, Armenian border guards will take over full operation of the checkpoint, with Yerevan’s troops to also be involved in guarding the border with Turkey along with the existing Russian forces.
For decades, Armenia’s frontiers with Turkey and Iran have been guarded solely by Russian troops.
This development signals a shift in Armenia’s security arrangements, as agreed to in May, when the two leaders decided that Russian forces would withdraw from certain regions of Armenia, though they would remain deployed along Armenia’s borders with Iran and Turkey.
It comes as Yerevan increasingly distances itself from its longtime ally following dissatisfaction with the role of Russian peacekeepers in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Armenian authorities have criticized Russia for failing to prevent Azerbaijan’s rapid offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023, which ultimately resulted in Azerbaijan regaining control over the region after nearly three decades of ethnic Armenian rule.
Following Azerbaijan’s military success, the ethnic Armenian separatist government in Nagorno-Karabakh dissolved, leading to further discussions between Yerevan and Baku to establish a lasting peace.
Pashinian announced at the Commonwealth of Independent States summit in Moscow on October 8 that Armenia was prepared to sign a draft peace agreement with Azerbaijan by the end of the month.
The proposed agreement includes mutual recognition of territorial integrity, a commitment to refrain from territorial claims, respect for noninterference, and the establishment of diplomatic relations, marking a potential resolution to the long-standing conflict between the bitter rivals.
Experts say this would represent a major step toward stabilizing the region after years of tensions.
