Rubio’s endorsement of Pashinyan amid Armenia’s election campaign raises concerns

Agreements signed in Yerevan on the TRIPP project, strategic partnership, and critical minerals cooperation

(Horizon Media / YEREVAN) – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Yerevan for a brief visit, during which he and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan initialled a framework agreement on strategic cooperation related to the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP) project.

The two sides also signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Charter and a memorandum on securing supply chains for the extraction and processing of critical minerals and rare earth resources.

The political undertones of the visit immediately drew attention, as it took place in the middle of Armenia’s parliamentary election campaign. During his remarks, Rubio openly praised the current Armenian authorities and voiced support for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his government’s political direction.

“You, the Prime Minister, and your entire team are paving the way toward a brighter and more independent future for Armenia,” Rubio stated, adding that the United States was “proud to be part of this process” and prepared “to do even more” alongside Armenia.

The remarks intensified concerns that Washington is directly inserting itself into Armenia’s domestic political process during an active election campaign. Earlier this year, U.S. Vice President JD Vance had also publicly stated, following talks in Yerevan, that the United States supports Nikol Pashinyan in the 2026 parliamentary elections. Vance made the comments while discussing potential American investment in the TRIPP project, effectively linking the continuation of major U.S.-Armenia initiatives to Pashinyan’s political future.

For his part, Mirzoyan stated that Armenia would continue “step by step” to realize the cooperation framework outlined by President Trump and Pashinyan, arguing that the project would benefit not only Armenia and the United States, but also other regional actors willing to participate “constructively and cooperatively.”

Rubio arrived in Yerevan with his wife. The expanded bilateral meeting and signing ceremony took place directly at the airport, while the Secretary of State’s entire visit lasted approximately one hour.