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.

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