Russia Concerned Over Ally Armenia Holding Joint Drills With US Military

Despite its being a member of a Russia-led military alliance, Armenia plans to hold joint exercises with the United States next week—to the consternation of Moscow.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) shakes hands with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan before a meeting with leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region's future at the Kremlin in Moscow on Jan. 11, 2021. Mikhail Klimentyev/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images

Armenia has announced plans to hold joint military drills with the United States next week amid rising tensions with Russia over Yerevan’s perennial dispute with next-door Azerbaijan.

Moscow, meanwhile, has voiced its discomfort with the planned military maneuvers, describing them as “unhelpful.”