“Let us not forget that in Davos, Trump met with Aliyev, but not with Pashinyan. This means he had a more serious conversation with Aliyev. Therefore, I have suspicions that in Baku, Vance will discuss more serious issues with Aliyev, which is not surprising, because serious matters are discussed with the leader who has won,” said ARF member and National Assembly “Armenia” faction MP Arthur Khachatryan in a conversation with journalists in parliament today, February 10.

Referring to statements that U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance’s remarks were mistranslated, Khachatryan said: “Vance did not use the word ‘investment.’ Some of our compatriots, out of ignorance, have become overly optimistic, thinking that $9 billion in investments will now pour in. The discussion was about trade — that there is a $5 billion trade potential in the energy sector and another $4 billion related to fuel purchases and servicing. But in the authorities’ translation — at least on air — it was rendered as ‘investment,’ while Vance never used that word.”

Khachatryan acknowledged that in 35 years of diplomatic relations, this was the highest-level American visit to Armenia, which shows that Armenian-American relations have seen steady growth over the past three and a half decades. However, according to him, the most should have been made of the visit. In this regard, he noted: “There can be no peace if occupiers are on your territory. It should have been requested that the U.S. use its influence to secure the release of our prisoners. There are also the issues of protecting Artsakh’s religious and historical-cultural heritage and the right of Artsakh Armenians to return. Any national government would have raised these issues.”

Asked whether these matters might have been discussed behind closed doors, Khachatryan was not optimistic: “I am confident they were not. You can say many things, but it is another matter how you say them and what language you use.”

Journalists also asked him to comment on the U.S. Vice President’s statement expressing support for Armenia’s prime minister. Khachatryan responded: “When power changes through elections, the United States and all countries will recognize the results of the elections, regardless of what is said beforehand. It is obvious that these authorities tried to use Vance’s visit for domestic political purposes, even distorting his words. For example, he didn’t say ‘investment,’ yet they are saying there will be $9 billion in investments.”