Armenia expects closer security ties and economic benefits from Britain

Armenia has established a "strategic partnership" with the United Kingdom, a country Russia views as hostile. Yerevan and London sealed the deal during an intergovernmental meeting on Monday, according to a joint communique.

The announcement comes as Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan faces domestic unrest over the arrests of two Armenian Apostolic Church bishops and a prominent businessman, who stand accused of plotting a coup.

Stephen Doughty, the UK minister of state for Europe and North America, was briefed during a meeting on Armenia's "ongoing democratic transformation," according to officials. The enhanced partnership is expected to expand security cooperation and attract British investment.

This summer, Armenia was shaken by mass protests following the government's stand-off with Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan and Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, who accused Pashinyan of betraying national interests in dealings with Azerbaijan.

Both clerics, along with Russian-Armenian businessman Samvel Karapetyan, who had expressed support for them, were arrested in June. Authorities claim the three were plotting to overthrow the government. Karapetyan's energy grid company in Armenia is facing nationalization as part of the crackdown.

Moscow has distanced itself from the turmoil, describing it as an internal matter. For decades, Russia has served as Armenia's primary security guarantor as a fellow member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), maintaining a military base in the country.

Pashinyan, however, has accused Russia of failing to defend Armenian interests during border clashes with Azerbaijan and has turned to Western nations for security and economic support. Moscow has warned against the shift, arguing that Washington and its allies cannot be relied upon to protect Armenia.

Last year, Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service cautioned that such an alignment would ultimately force Armenia to "renounce its own traditions, national societal norms, and stable commercial ties" with other countries in exchange for Western favor.