Trump backs Armenia's Pashinyan ahead of tight elections

US President Donald Trump expressed support for Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Wednesday ahead of upcoming elections, which polls show are extremely close. The endorsement comes at a critical moment for Armenia's political landscape.

US President Donald Trump expressed support on Wednesday for Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan ahead of upcoming elections in Armenia, where opinion polls indicate an extremely tight race.

The endorsement from the Republican president is notable given the high-stakes nature of the vote. Polls suggest the outcome remains highly uncertain, making outside expressions of support potentially significant for the Armenian electorate.

Pashinyan has led Armenia since coming to power following the 2018 Velvet Revolution. His tenure has been marked by significant regional turbulence, including the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war and the 2023 loss of the disputed enclave to Azerbaijan. Armenia has since been navigating a delicate balancing act between its traditional ally Russia and growing ties with Western partners, including the European Union and the United States.