Verbal exchange between Pashinyan, Łukašenka, after Armenian leader refuses to travel to Minsk

December 26, Pozirk. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has publicly refused to come to Minsk in May 2025 for a Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) summit.
Pashinyan has announced his decision reacting to Alaksandar Łukašenka’s proposal that the EEU hold the meeting on May 29 in Minsk because of Belarus’ chairmanship of the economic bloc.
Speaking at the EEU summit in Russia’s Leningrad province via video link today, the Armenian premier said, “I would like to say in advance that our delegation will take part in the meeting via videoconferencing.”
Łukašenka asked, “What’s your problem? Is Minsk too far away, is there no one to take you there? We will organize the transfer for your delegation if necessary.”
Pashinyan replied that he had already issued a public statement on the matter, referring to his earlier refusal to visit Minsk.
“We will consider your request,” Łukašenka said.
“This is not subject to consideration,” Pashinyan retorted.
“We will consider it. We may not have a screen for you to speak remotely,” Łukašenka said.
“No problem,” Pashinyan said.
Political analyst Dźmitryj Bałkuniec noted that Łukašenka bristled at Pashinyan’s remarks, as his head was shaking as he spoke.
Apparently angered by the Belarusian ruler’s tour of Nagorno-Karabakh captured by Azerbaijan, Pashinyan said on June 13 that neither he nor any other Armenian official would travel to Belarus as long as Łukašenka is in power.
Also read: Armenian premier criticizes CSTO after refusing to attend Minsk summit
- PoliticsResearch shows divergence between repression, election cycleThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, Germany news
- PoliticsBratislava appoints ambassador to Belarus (updated)The material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Society, SportUkraine boycotts Judo Worlds over BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsWarsaw, US senators support Siarhiej CichanoŭskiThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityBelarus insists it hosts Russian nukesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyMinsk bans 18 more booksThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyImport intensity of GDP increasesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyŁukašenka wants gaming revenue to stay in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyMan reportedly dies in Minsk after police chaseThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Politics, SocietyInvestigative Committee announces crack down on Novaja Biełarus developers, usersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Politics, SecurityDefense ministry’s ideology chief visits IranThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: another ex-prisoner dies, new attacks on local mediaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsState-run TV shows interrogations of local media editors over contacts with German embassyThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsFormer political prisoner Valer Bohdan died nine months after releaseThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityZelensky's right to reject Belarus as peace talks host, Cichanoŭskaja saysThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyMinsk region’s health official plays up benefits of house calls, critics disagreeThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsBelarusian Consulate General offered bigger office in St. PetersburgThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyRussian Orthodox leader to visit Belarus in JuneThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyRussia: potato imports from Belarus halved this yearThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityDefense official emphasizes Minsk’s openness on Zapad-2025 drillThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security
- Economy
- EconomyHouseholds’ disposable income up 17.8 percent in Q1 – BiełstatThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsFive online communities branded extremist groups in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyHealth ministry investigating teenager’s death in Homiel region’s hospitalThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyBelarus to send humanitarian aid to earthquake-stricken TajikistanThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityRussia-led military bloc approves five-year cooperation planThe material is available only to POZIRK+