Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov sought to ease tensions with Armenia during talks with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in Moscow on 21 January. Lavrov described the talks as "very useful" and suggested that they would help resolve recent problems between the two nations.

The meeting marked the first high-level engagement between the two diplomats since November 2023, amid growing rifts as Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has signalled a shift towards closer ties with the West. The talks took place against a backdrop of escalating tensions over Armenia's decision to begin the process of joining the European Union, a move that has drawn criticism from Moscow.

Lavrov said the talks had led to "mutually acceptable solutions" on several issues, although he did not elaborate. He stressed the importance of maintaining an open line of communication between the two nations, describing the dialogue as an opportunity to address grievances on both sides.

"We agreed to tell each other honestly and openly about Armenia's concerns about Russia and Russia's concerns about Armenia," Lavrov said. He also called for restraint in media narratives that could exacerbate tensions, stressing the importance of constructive engagement in addressing bilateral challenges.

Mirzoyan echoed Lavrov's sentiments, describing the talks as "frank and constructive". He reiterated Armenia's commitment to dialogue at all levels, suggesting that Yerevan seeks to maintain strong ties with Moscow while navigating its aspirations for closer European integration.

Tensions between the two countries have risen in recent months after the Armenian government approved a bill to start the EU accession process. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk criticised the move as potentially undermining Armenia's membership of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), a Moscow-led economic bloc that Armenia joined in 2015. 

Although Lavrov avoided directly addressing Armenia's EU aspirations, he highlighted the robust trade relationship between the two countries, noting that Russia remains Armenia's largest trading partner.

"Economic ties are a foundation of our relations and we intend to build on this strong partnership," he said.

Armenia's trade with Russia amounted to more than $3bn in 2023, making Moscow its top economic partner. The two countries also cooperate closely on energy and defence, with Russia maintaining a military base in the Armenian city of Gyumri and serving as Armenia's main supplier of natural gas.

However, Armenia's pivot towards Western partnerships, including its ongoing discussions with the EU, has introduced new complexities to the bilateral relationship, with Moscow seeing Armenia's rapprochement with the EU as a Western plan to push Russia out of the South Caucasus region.