Breaking
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemned Azerbaijan’s “severe violations of religious freedom,” highlighting the “ongoing destruction and repurposing of ancient Armenian churches” in Nagorno-Karabakh. Chair Stephen Schneck called Azerbaijan’s religion law “one of the most repressive globally,” while Commissioner Vicky Hartzler urged sanctions and the deployment of international observer missions. Panelists and recent reports from the World Council of Churches described the erasure of Armenian Christian presence as a violation of international law and a possible indicator of genocidal intent.
In its 2025 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State designate Azerbaijan to the Special Watch List for severe violations of religious freedom.
At Tom Lantos Hearing, U.S. Expert Warns of Threat to Armenians in Turkey, Urges Genocide Denial Accountability
During the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission hearing on Turkey’s human rights record, Dr. Michael Rubin warned of deepening repression against Armenians, Kurds, Greeks, and Jews “due to their ethnicity and religion.”
Rubin emphasized: “If Erdogan continues, it is likely that Orthodox Christianity will disappear from Turkey before it reaches its two millennia anniversary”—a “double blow after the ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh’s 7000 years of indigenous Armenian Christian community.”
He further stated, “Genocide denial perpetrates genocide,” and criticized Turkish diplomats for mirroring “Azerbaijani, North Korean, [and] Venezuelan counterparts.”
In its 2025 Annual Report, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom recommended that the U.S. State Department “include Turkey on the Special Watch List for engaging in or tolerating severe violations of religious freedom”.
Azerbaijani Delegate Threatens Armenia with Invasion at OSCE Summit
At an OSCE tolerance summit in Vienna, Azerbaijani delegate Ahmad Shahidov declared that “the Azerbaijani army may drink Turkish tea in Yerevan,” threatening Armenia with invasion. In response, Armenian civil society representative Arlette Zakarian stated, “Azerbaijan has a right to kill, we have a right not to stay silent… hearing this is nonsense —it is unacceptable.”
“Europe Must Stand by Armenia”: French MEP Urges Stronger EU Action Against Azerbaijani Aggression
French MEP François-Xavier Bellamy has called on the EU to take “all possible measures” to support Armenia and prevent another Azerbaijani attack. “There is one threat, that is Azerbaijan, and Armenia is the victim,” he stated, criticizing the EU’s silence during past atrocities and urging equal standards for Baku and Moscow. Bellamy also stressed the urgent need to release Armenian POWs and support the right of return for displaced Karabakh Armenians.
CFTJ’s 4th Annual International Conference in Yerevan Highlights Urgent Need for Accountability for the Crime of Aggression
From June 4–6, 2025, the Center for Truth and Justice (CFTJ) convened its 4th Annual International Conference, “Crime Against Peace: Addressing the Crime of Aggression in a Changing World,” at the historic Matenadaran in Yerevan, Armenia. Held in a country facing ongoing threats of aggression from Azerbaijan, the conference underscored the critical importance of accountability mechanisms for the crime of aggression.
Bringing together leading legal scholars and practitioners, the event explored the evolution of aggression in international law, from Nuremberg to the Kampala Amendments, while highlighting Armenia’s unique position as an ICC member state that has yet to ratify those amendments.
Speakers included Dr. Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, former ICC President; Prof. Jennifer Trahan (NYU); Dr. Carrie McDougall (University of Melbourne); and the Hon. Beti Hohler (ICC Judge), who emphasized that confronting aggression is essential to upholding the legacy of international justice and protecting small states like Armenia.
CFTJ is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organization documenting war crimes and atrocity crimes committed against ethnic Armenians since 2020.
Photo of the Week
U.S.-Armenia tech cooperation is deepening as Ambassador Kvien met with Nvidia leadership to discuss advancing joint initiatives in artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure.
Photo Courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in Armenia.
Security
Armenian Deputy FM Highlights EUMA’s Role in Border Stability at Hamburg Conference
At the Hamburg Sustainability Conference, Deputy FM Robert Abisoghomonyan emphasized the need for inclusive conflict prevention and praised the EU Monitoring Mission in Armenia (EUMA) for contributing to border stability. He reiterated Armenia’s proposal for mutual arms control with Azerbaijan and highlighted the Crossroads of Peace project as key to regional development.
EUMA Chief Hosts German Foreign Ministry Delegation in Armenia
Head of EUMA Markus Ritter met with a German delegation led by Matthias Vollert, discussing regional developments and EU engagement in the South Caucasus.
Armenia Working to Sign Strategic Partnership Documents with Several European Countries
Armenia Included in EU Peace Facility’s 2026 Draft Program
Armenia has been named a prospective recipient of the EU’s European Peace Facility for 2026, Deputy FM Vahan Kostanyan announced. Following €10 million in aid received in 2024, further discussions are underway for 2025 support, amid reported opposition from Hungary over aid parity with Azerbaijan.
EU to Finalize Armenia Visa Liberalization Action Plan Soon
The EU is preparing to present Armenia with a visa liberalization action plan, with a European expert delegation set to visit Yerevan on June 24. During talks in Brussels, Minister Arpine Sargsyan emphasized Armenia’s commitment to reforms and swift implementation, while inviting Commissioner Brunner to visit Armenia in 2026.
Economy
Firebird Announces Plans to Deploy Thousands of NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs to Advance AI Computing Across the Caucasus Region
“AI factories are the infrastructure of the 21st century,” said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA. “Our collaboration with Armenia will help build foundational AI capacity and unlock new opportunities for innovation and economic growth across the region.”
Armenia to Host HIF Yerevan 2025, Aiming to Boost Global Investment in Hospitality
Set for June 18, the Hospitality Investment Forum Yerevan 2025 will unite global industry leaders to promote Armenia as a top-tier hospitality destination. With a focus on hotel development, sustainable growth, and strategic investment, the forum will feature major players like Accor, Marriott, and the World Bank, aiming to launch new projects and attract long-term capital to Armenia’s tourism sector.
Armenia Sees Strong EU Exports Amid State Support Measures
Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan reports solid export figures to EU countries, with Armenian firms benefiting from customs duty compensation. Key exports include molybdenum, aluminum foil, and copper ore, though the government aims to boost volumes further. EU investments in Armenia reached 1.6 trillion AMD as of December 2024.
Opinion
Threats Lurk Behind the Scenes in Azerbaijan’s Talk of Peace With Armenia
By John Prendergast
Azerbaijan has recently moved to strike a peace deal with Armenia after violently recapturing the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023. But continued fighting between the two countries might be more likely than peace, and other transnational threats continue to lurk beneath the surface. For one, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev retains visions of territorial expansion through a creeping invasion of Armenia’s southern border. And the tentacles of Azerbaijan’s business dealings should raise alarms throughout the international financial system.
Armenia Is Breaking Up With Russia And Putin Can’t Stop It
By Jason Corcoran
For decades, Armenia was one of Russia’s most reliable post-Soviet allies — a small but loyal partner nestled in the volatile South Caucasus. But that marriage of convenience is now rapidly unraveling.