Armenia Election & US Backing: U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan ahead of Armenia’s June 7 parliamentary vote, calling him a “great friend and leader” and backing his “peace and prosperity” agenda, after Rubio’s recent trip and amid reports of Russian attempts to sway the election. Russian Influence Concerns: Western officials cited by Reuters say Moscow is running disinformation campaigns and even plans to transport large numbers of Russian-Armenians to influence the vote, as Armenia’s foreign policy shifts westward. Republic Day in Yerevan: Armenia marked First Republic Day with a major military parade in Republic Square, with Pashinyan framing it as a “new historical era” and linking the display to state resilience and the push for lasting peace. Tourism Demand Signal: Tripster data says Armenia is among top June destinations for Russian travelers, placing it in the top five alongside Belarus, Georgia, Turkey, and Kazakhstan. Regional Travel Context: Armenia’s tourism sector outlook shows mixed momentum—visitor trips to Georgia are flat overall, but Armenia-related flows are down, while branded hotel occupancy in the region is improving. Culture & Arts: “Mosaics of Armenia” brought Armenian music to an international audience in Massachusetts, spotlighting Komitas and Khachaturian alongside contemporary works. Border Wall Debate: In Kirants, election campaign remarks criticized the border wall’s construction and highlighted how the Tourism Committee has showcased it online. EAEU Integration Watch: EAEU leaders met in Astana as Armenia remains part of the bloc, with discussions centered on digitisation, AI, and deeper trade integration.