Armenians protest in the streets demanding PM Pashinyan’s resignation amid border conflict

Protesters in Armenia, led by a senior cleric in the church, made a powerful statement as they walked 160 kilometres from border villages to Yerevan, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The demonstrators gathered in Republic Square, waving Armenian flags and calling for change.

The protests were sparked by the government’s decision to hand over control of border villages to Azerbaijan, following a military campaign in Nagorno-Karabakh, a region with a majority Armenian population. Tens of thousands of people flooded into Armenia, leading to widespread demonstrations and calls for Pashinyan to step down.

Videos shared on social media captured the passionate scenes in Yerevan, as the senior cleric delivered a prayer and gave Pashinyan an ultimatum to resign within one hour. Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan urged peaceful acts of disobedience if the prime minister did not heed their demands.

Meanwhile, Pashinyan visited Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, amidst escalating tensions between the two countries. The leaders discussed the removal of Russian forces from certain Armenian regions, as well as bilateral trade and regional security issues.

As the political landscape in Armenia continues to evolve, Pashinyan’s decision to strengthen ties with the EU and NATO has raised concerns within the Russia-dominated CSTO security pact. The country announced a halt in fee payments to the organization, signaling a shift in alliances and priorities for Armenia.