Pashinyan blocks Vardanyan family’s attempt to involve Trump in his release

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has reportedly refused to send a letter to former U.S. President Donald Trump requesting assistance in securing the release of Ruben Vardanyan, according to the Graparak newspaper.

The outlet claims that influential members of the Armenian diaspora in the U.S. had been in contact with Trump’s circle, even reaching out to his son-in-law. Allegedly, Trump was prepared to intervene if there were an official request from Yerevan.

The Vardanyan family forwarded a corresponding letter to the Armenian Prime Minister through Ambassador Lilit Makunts in the U.S., but the request was denied. According to Graparak, the Armenian government believed that such a step could harm the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan.