A "Crocodile in the Bedroom": Ruben Mehrabyan on the Existential Threat of Russian Presence in Armenia
04-03-2026 18:06:31 | Armenia | Interviews
In a recent interview hosted by Noyan Tapan, political analyst and Vice President of the "For the Republic" party, Ruben Mehrabyan, offered a blistering critique of the Armenian government's current stance on Russian military presence and the looming threat of hybrid warfare ahead of the upcoming elections.
The discussion, led by Noyan Tapan, opened with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s recent comments in Poland, where he stated that the Armenian government has "no concerns" regarding the continued presence of the Russian 102nd military base. Mehrabyan sharply disagreed, maintaining his party’s long-held position that the base is not a guarantor of security, but rather a liability.
"Life showed that we are right, that this base is a source of threat," Mehrabyan stated during the broadcast, calling for the immediate removal of all Russian power structures from Armenian soil. He went as far as to describe the Russian presence as a "cancer on the body of Armenia" that must be "cured and eliminated".
Addressing Pashinyan’s lack of public concern, Mehrabyan suggested that the Prime Minister’s words should be viewed as "part of a diplomatic packaging" rather than a deep political analysis.
Hybrid Warfare and the "Crocodile" Analogy
The conversation shifted to the recent request by Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan for European Union assistance in countering hybrid attacks. While official rhetoric often avoids naming the source of these attacks, Mehrabyan was explicit in pointing toward Moscow.
"Hybrid war is waged by enemies," Mehrabyan noted, dismissing the possibility of resolving these tensions through "friendly" dialogue. He offered a vivid warning against the government's attempt to maintain a amicable tone with the Kremlin: "Have you tried to bring a crocodile into your bedroom and convince him that you are his friend, and not his daily dinner? Try it and see what happens".
He predicted that these hybrid operations would reach their peak in May and the first week of June, directly preceding the election cycle.
Energy Independence and Rosatom
The analyst also touched upon Armenia's energy future, specifically the development of modular nuclear power plants. Despite proposals from the U.S., France, and South Korea, Mehrabyan expressed concern that the government is stalling to avoid aggravating Russia.
He delivered a harsh assessment of Rosatom, describing it as an "organized criminal group" disguised as a corporation and used as a tool by the Russian state. According to Mehrabyan, Russia’s ultimate ambition remains the subjugation of the region. "Russia views Armenia as a temporarily lost territory," he claimed, adding that the Kremlin's ideal vision is "Armenia without Armenians".
Concluding the interview on Noyan Tapan, Mehrabyan outlined the mission of the "For the Republic" party: to transform the nature of the opposition in Armenia and force the current government to work more effectively. He emphasized that while Armenia has the prerequisites for a positive outcome and development, the struggle for true sovereignty is far from over.
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