A recent poll conducted in Armenia by the U.S. government-funded International Republican Institute shows national security as a top issue for citizens.

The International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Center for Insights in Survey Research (CISR) found that perceptions of Armenia’s neighbors are also changing.

The percentage of Armenians who assess the state of the relationship with Russia as good has decreased to 50%, the lowest ever measured in an IRI poll in Armenia. Twenty-three percent believe that the relationship with Turkey is “good,” representing a substantial increase from previous surveys.  

“Attitudes toward Russia have been declining in Armenia for the last several years,” said Senior Director for Eurasia at IRI. “There appears to be a clear expectation of the government to prioritize strengthening Armenia’s armed forces and protecting the border.”  

One of the poll’s main findings is that 52% of respondents thought Armenia is heading in the wrong direction. 36% said the country is moving in the right direction.

Almost two-thirds of respondents said there were no politicians or public figures they trusted.14% said they trusted Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

43% of respondents said Pashinyan’s administration had failed to achieve a single success in the past six months. Most pointed to the government’s failed policies regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and regional security.