“Big Brother” or “False Ally”: Perception of anti-Russian sentiment in the context of the results of the 2026 parliamentary elections in Armenia

Abstract

This article presents a comparative analysis of the geopolitical and regional aspects—as well as the significance—of the elections to the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia held on June 7, 2026. Particular attention is paid to the actions of the political opposition, which sought to capitalize on Armenia’s economic dependence on Russia. Pro-Western political forces in Armenia relied on support from the US and the EU, leveraging the fact that Russia had pursued an unfriendly foreign policy in recent years by drawing closer to Azerbaijan and Türkiye. The image of Russia as a military ally—which had replaced the Soviet-era "Big Brother" myth—was undermined by the 44-day war in Artsakh in 2020, the subsequent occupation of part of Armenia’s sovereign territory, and Russia’s failure to honor its allied obligations during the ethnic cleansing of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh carried out by Azerbaijan starting in 2023. A negative perception of Russia took hold in Armenian public discourse, leading to the defeat of pro-Russian political forces in the parliamentary elections of June 7, 2026. These results demonstrate that, for Armenia’s re-elected leadership, security issues and the prospects for developing cooperation with the EU—as well as implementing the strategic partnership agenda between Armenia and the European Union—are of paramount importance, particularly in light of Armenia’s integration into regional transport networks.