Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan issued the following statement today marking the anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in WWII.

(Traditionally, this date also marked the 1992 liberation of Shushi and the establishment of the Artsakh Defense Army. While historically a "triple holiday," celebrations in recent years have focused heavily on the WWII victory (Victory and Peace Day) following the loss of Shushi in 2020.)

Today is the Day of Victory of the Soviet Union and the Western Allies in World War II, which is celebrated in our country as the Day of Victory and Peace.

In World War II, civilized humanity said no to fascism. The Armenian people made a visible contribution to this cause, more than half a million of whose representatives fought against fascism in the Soviet and Western Allied armies and in underground resistance groups. This struggle and contribution have been highly appreciated in several countries.

We are celebrating the 81st anniversary of the victory over fascism in difficult international conditions. We must not forget the disasters that fascism has brought to humanity and condemn this phenomenon in all its manifestations. Today we bow our heads to all those martyrs who gave their lives to save humanity from fascism. Today we also pay tribute to all the countries and people who fought against fascism.

Dear people, dear citizens of the Republic of Armenia,

We celebrate May 9, 2026 in the conditions of peace established between Armenia and Azerbaijan. For two years now, we have had neither victims nor injuries because of the Armenia-Azerbaijani shooting, and our border settlements live in an environment free from shooting. This is an especially important achievement that we have had for the first time since the independence of our country.

Today, our task is to take proper care of the achieved peace to make it stronger and more dependable every day. The established peace is a historic opportunity for our country to bring it to an unprecedented level of security, prosperity, and development. Today, we are confidently walking on that path, and a developed, free, secure, prosperous, democratic Republic of Armenia is the greatest tribute to the memory of all the martyrs of our people of all times, and the service that we must provide to our citizens and generations. We will pay our tribute; we will render our service.

Glory to the martyrs and long live the Republic of Armenia.