Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that Russian management of the country's railways reduces its strategic influence in the TRIPP project. International partners are increasingly choosing bypass routes through Meghri — Nakhichevan — Turkey, bypassing the Armenian section through Yeraskh and Gyumri, citing Russian management.
According to Pashinyan, Russia itself does not create obstacles, but in the international arena, Russian participation is perceived as a limiting factor. As a solution, he proposed selling the concession management to a country friendly to both Armenia and Russia, such as the UAE or Qatar. Even if Moscow invests in the restoration of sections, the use of the road through Armenia may remain low.
Armenia's railway infrastructure has been under concession to South Caucasus Railway (SCR) since 2008 for 30 years with the possibility of extending it for another 10 years, which makes negotiations on the transfer of management possible but complex.
