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The United States and Armenia have launched joint military drills amid deteriorating relations with Russia.
On Monday, Armenia kicked off the “Eagle Partner” exercises to improve the coordination of units in international peacekeeping missions. According to Defense Minister Suren Papikyan, these war games include “Armenian peacekeeping forces, servicemen from the U.S. Army Europe and Africa, and the Kansas National Guard.” The US ambassador to Armenia, Kristina Kvien, added, “The Eagle Partner exercise is a testament to our longstanding partnership with Armenia and builds upon decades of successful security cooperation, underpinned by Armenia’s enduring relationship with the Kansas National Guard under the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program.”
Although the exact number of participating troops is not specified, the exercises will continue until July 24.
Digging Deeper:
Russia has been Armenia’s main ally since the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991, with Armenia hosting a Russian military base and being a member of the Moscow-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). However, relations have soured, especially after Azerbaijan’s fast military action last year to reclaim the Karabakh region. Armenian authorities accused Russian peacekeepers of failing to stop Azerbaijan’s advance, a claim Russia denied, stating their troops “didn’t have a mandate to intervene.”
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s efforts to strengthen ties with the West and distance Armenia from Russian influence have particularly angered the Kremlin. Russia’s displeasure was evident when Armenia decided to join the International Criminal Court, which had indicted Russian President Vladimir Putin for alleged war crimes in Ukraine.
