Russia & Samvel Karapetyan

Russia: Russia exerted significant pressure on Armenia through economic restrictions and thinly veiled threats to influence the election outcome and prevent Armenia's pivot to the West. Despite these efforts, the pro-Western Civil Contract party won, indicating a potential weakening of Russia's influence in the region.

Samvel Karapetyan: Samvel Karapetyan, a Russian-Armenian billionaire and leader of the Armenia — Strong Armenia party, was the main opponent to Nikol Pashinyan. His party, which advocates for closer ties with Russia, came in second, but he is currently under house arrest for allegedly advocating for the government's overthrow.