Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday during his official visit to Russia, where he stressed the urgent need to restore several railway sections linking Armenia with neighboring Turkey and Azerbaijan’s exclave of Nakhichevan.
Pashinyan arrived in Russia on December 21 to attend a session of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council (EAEU) in St. Petersburg. The following day, he participated in an informal summit of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) leaders at the Hermitage Museum.
During his one-on-one meeting with Putin, Pashinyan highlighted that peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan has already enabled trains from Russia to reach Armenia via Azerbaijan, a milestone he described as “truly historic.” He added that this development opens the door for further strengthening Armenia–Russia bilateral relations.
“The agenda for restoring some other railway sections in our country has also matured. I am referring, in particular, to the Ijevan, Yeraskh, and Akhurik sectors. These are railways connecting Armenia with Azerbaijan and Turkey. Quite active political processes are underway,” Pashinyan said.
He noted that while political decisions on reopening the railways have not yet been made, preparatory work should begin immediately.
Russia, which manages Armenia’s railways through South Caucasian Railway CJSC under a 30-year concession signed in 2008, was asked by Pashinyan to urgently restore these sections. Putin, in turn, emphasized the potential of restoring old routes and creating new ones to enhance Armenia’s connectivity.
During the meeting, Putin stated that bilateral relations between Armenia and Russia were “developing steadily,” citing trade and economic indicators as evidence.
“Our trade turnover has been regularized. If in 2024 it exceeded $11 billion, then in the first nine months of this year it amounted to $4.5 billion. This is also a good indicator and gives us reason to believe that in the near future we will increase it,” Putin said.
He added that the two sides had discussed cooperation in the energy sector, including nuclear energy, as well as future plans in logistics.
“We have good plans. We have already discussed energy, including nuclear energy. We will not go into details now, but there is an opportunity to continue discussions, including on the logistics sector,” Putin said.
Referring to previous talks with Pashinyan, the Russian president also highlighted joint efforts to restore transport connectivity.
Turkey–Armenia Border Could Reopen Soon
Pashinyan’s railway restoration plans coincide with reports suggesting the possible reopening of the Armenia–Turkey land border. Bloomberg reported earlier this month that Turkey could reopen the border “within the next six months.”
Although a 2022 agreement allows third-country citizens and diplomats to cross the border, it has remained closed since 1993, with Turkey linking its opening to progress in the Armenia–Azerbaijan peace process.
Turkish media outlet Ye?il I?d?r reported on Monday that preparations have begun to open the Alican Border Crossing with Armenia, initially for freight transport via the Margara Bridge, with plans to later accommodate passenger traffic. According to the report, a delegation led by I?d?r Governor Ercan Turan, including Head of the Migration Management Directorate Hüseyin Kök, Acting General Director of Logistics at the Ministry of National Defense Major General Ahmet Hamdi Ataç, and officials from relevant ministries, conducted on-site inspections at the Alican Border Gate as part of the preparatory process.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also hinted at upcoming steps in the Armenia–Turkey normalization process. Speaking at the 16th Congress of Turkish Ambassadors on December 16, Erdogan said, “God willing, some symbolic steps will be taken from the beginning of next year,” emphasizing that normalization efforts are advancing in coordination with Azerbaijan.
