Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has proposed holding the next meeting of foreign ministers in the “3+3” regional cooperation format in Azerbaijan, followed by another in Yerevan, while reaffirming Moscow’s readiness to participate in regional infrastructure projects. Speaking after attending the seventh summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Baku on October 15,

Lavrov stated that Russia actively supports the format and is waiting for Armenia and Azerbaijan to agree on the venue for the next meeting. His remarks came on the same day that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan maintained that relations between Yerevan and Moscow had never been cold despite disagreements over bilateral issues.

Lavrov described the “3+3” format as a comprehensive regional platform comprising Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, alongside Russia, Iran and Türkiye. Lavrov stressed that its purpose extended beyond any individual transport or infrastructure project, providing a broader framework for discussing regional affairs. “I think the forthcoming meeting could be held in Azerbaijan, and the next one after that in Yerevan.That would be the right approach,” he stated. The participating countries have previously held meetings in Moscow, Tehran and Istanbul. Georgia, however, has not attended any of them, leaving the format without the participation of one of the three South Caucasus states it is intended to bring together. Lavrov’s proposal does not establish a confirmed venue or date, as Armenia and Azerbaijan have yet to reach agreement on hosting the next meeting.

The Russian foreign minister also addressed the proposed Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), saying that Moscow had not received any requests to participate in the project but that interested parties were aware of Russia’s willingness and capabilities. Lavrov welcomed the normalization process between Armenia and Azerbaijan and expressed readiness to contribute to infrastructure projects. He pointed to Russian Railways’ management of the South CaucasusRailway under a concession agreement, noting that the company was familiar with the region’s railway infrastructure and provided its technical maintenance.

Pashinyan, meanwhile, sought to characterizeArmenia’s relationship with Russia as functional despite political disagreements. Speaking to journalists after a Cabinet meeting on October 15, he emphasized that bilateral relationshad never been cold and that disagreements over diplomacy or the shared agenda did not mean the two sides had stopped communicating. “Nothing has changed in our relations,” the prime minister said, calling the existing atmosphere a working relationship and expressing confidence that ties would remain good.