Gazprom Armenia, a subsidiary of Gazprom Russia, has recently announced that gas supply to Armenia will be cut off from September 15 to 25 due to "scheduled maintenance and repairs in the Russian Federation." This news comes just days after Nikol Pashinyan, the Prime Minister of Armenia, stated the country's efforts to reduce dependence on Russian gas imports.
Armenia's Dependence on Russian Gas
In 2025, approximately 82 percent of Armenia's gas imports will be supplied by Russia, indicating the high level of the country's dependence on Russian energy resources. Pashinyan announced on September 11 during a press conference that Armenia is seeking alternative gas sources, especially in light of the tense relations between Armenia and Russia.
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Consequences of Gas Cutoff and Securing Alternative Resources
Gazprom Armenia has expressed confidence that this action will not lead to shortages in the Armenian gas market, noting that it can utilize domestic reserves and additional supplies from the Islamic Republic of Iran. However, no response has yet been published from Armenian officials regarding Gazprom Armenia's action, and no plans have been announced to compensate for the cutoff of Russian gas supply.
On the day of the gas cutoff announcement, reports emerged from Azerbaijan indicating that Baku is ready to supply significant amounts of gas to Armenia. However, this gas will only flow after the finalization of a temporary peace agreement between the two countries, mediated in August 2025 in Washington. One of the key points in the ongoing negotiations is Azerbaijan's insistence on constitutional reforms in Armenia to recognize Baku's sovereignty over the disputed territories of Nagorno-Karabakh, which were retaken by Azerbaijani forces in 2023.
Despite the appeal of Azerbaijani gas, Pashinyan's government faces many internal challenges in meeting Baku's conditions to finalize the peace agreement. Although Pashinyan's Civil Contract Party secured a strong majority in the June elections, it is unclear whether a national referendum to amend the constitution will garner sufficient public support. In the medium term, the legacy of over three decades of bitter conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan may make Armenian officials cautious about granting significant economic power to Baku at this time.
Pashinyan expressed hope during his press conference on September 11 that Trump's plan for international peace and prosperity (TRIPP) would help address Armenia's gas supply challenges. However, TRIPP is also contingent upon the finalization of the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
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