EU chief Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on June 8 after preliminary election results showed his party's victory, hailing "a democratic Armenia that is drawing ever closer to Europe".

The election result, once confirmed, would cement Pashinyan's Westward push away from Russian influence. It is the first vote since a 2023 crushing military defeat by Azerbaijan.

Armenians have voted in elections that pit pro-EU Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan against the pro-Russia opposition. Peace efforts with longtime foe Azerbaijan are also a main…