By Lia Avagyan
Armenia and Russia have not reached a concrete understanding on the future of Armenia’s railway system, Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan said, following recent talks in Moscow.
Speaking to RFE/RL on Wednesday, Grigoryan said that while there has been a general willingness from the Russian side to move forward, negotiations remain inconclusive. “There has been a statement of readiness… but they want additional calculations and studies,” he said, adding that “there is no concrete outcome at this stage.”
The comments follow talks between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on April 1, during which the issue of Armenia’s railway network, currently managed by Russia, was a key topic. According to Grigoryan, discussions are ongoing and remain largely technical, with no final decisions reached yet.
The railway system has been under the control of Russian Railways since a 2008 concession agreement, which runs until 2038. In recent months, Armenian officials have signaled interest in revising or diversifying this arrangement, including the possibility of involving a third-party operator.
However, the government has emphasized that it is not seeking confrontation with Moscow. Pashinyan has said Yerevan prefers negotiations and wants to ensure Armenia can “fully utilize its competitive advantages” without harming ties with Russia.
Also read: Armenia does not plan to end Russian railway concession, seeks talks
The issue has taken on broader geopolitical significance as Armenia seeks to reopen regional transport links under the so-called TRIPP initiative or “Trump’s Route”, launched after last year’s U.S.-mediated agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The project is intended to restore rail connectivity across the region, including a route linking Azerbaijan to its exclave of Nakhichevan via Armenian territory, while also allowing Armenia to reconnect to regional networks after decades of blockade.
The European Union has also shown interest in the process, holding discussions on supporting the rehabilitation of the railway segment through Nakhichevan, on the condition that it connects to Armenia at the Yeraskh section.
At the same time, Russia has signaled resistance to any changes in the current arrangement. Russian officials have warned that revising the concession could trigger economic consequences, including restrictions on Armenian businesses operating in Russia.
Also read: The railway dispute shows the limits of Armenia’s Russia policy
Analysts say the railway issue highlights the limits of Armenia’s efforts to reduce its dependence on Russia. While Yerevan has taken steps in recent years to diversify its foreign and security policy, key sectors such as infrastructure remain closely tied to Moscow.
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