Macron says 8 years ago, Armenia was seen as de facto Russian satellite, deterring visits

French President Emmanuel Macron said at the European Political Community summit in Yerevan that Armenia has undergone a major political transformation over the past eight years, moving away from its former perception as a Russian satellite and toward closer engagement with Europe.

“Let’s be honest—eight years ago no one would have come here, and the fact that we now have so many first visits to Armenia is truly a good indicator,” Macron said.

“Eight years ago, many of the countries sitting around this table saw this country [Armenia] as a de facto satellite of Russia. Then Nikol organized the ‘Velvet Revolution,’ which led to a de-risking of the country, and, as a result, it benefited from it. It chose that peace and Europe are primary aspirations.”