Production at the Abovyan cognac plant in Armenia continues at high speed. Staff in white uniforms and hair coverings manage the line efficiently, applying labels and stacking pallets for loading onto trucks. The product is bound for Russia, yet recent restrictions may prevent delivery. Moscow imposed an import ban last month on Abovyan and two other major Armenian brandy makers, citing health standards. Observers saw the action as political leverage ahead of Sunday’s parliamentary vote. Similar limits have hit flowers, fish, fruit and brandy, targeting a country that directs about 40 percent of exports to Russia. Factory director Samvel Goroyan expressed hope the measures will ease, noting all output goes to Russia with no alternative markets. Armenia maintained close ties with Moscow after 1991 independence, hosting troops and joining Kremlin-led alliances. Under Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, elected after 2018 protests, the government has pursued closer European links. Sunday’s election will gauge support for this change despite economic reliance on Russia. Analysts say Moscow views the shift as defiance and seeks to compel alignment. Russian leaders have warned of possible instability similar to Ukraine and hinted at personal risks for Pashinyan. Relations deteriorated after Azerbaijan took Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023, displacing over 100,000 ethnic Armenians. Russia’s inaction despite security pacts surprised many in Yerevan. Armenia later suspended its role in the Moscow-led CSTO defense group. Hosting a European summit with Ukrainian participation and advancing EU and US contacts further strained ties. Kremlin support has reportedly backed opposition figures favoring renewed Russian cooperation. Despite these efforts, the vote will test Pashinyan’s direction.
