March XX, 2016

The Honorable John Kerry
Secretary
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520
Dear Secretary Kerry,

I/we write to call attention to the growing military alliance between Russia and Armenia,
which I/we view as a very real concern that has been largely ignored by the international
community. I/we urge the U.S. Department of State to stay abreast of this disturbing trend,
particularly in light of events currently taking place in the region.

The growing Russian military presence in Armenia is a direct threat to America’s vital
interests. As you know, over the past few months Russia has been sending new fighter jets and
combat helicopters to an air base in Armenia just 25 miles from the Turkish border, a reliable
NATO ally. Included in this array of Russian military hardware are MiG-29 fighters, Mi-24
helicopter gunships, and Navodchik-2 and Takiun aerial drones.

News of this amplified military activity comes in the wake of a sweeping air defense
agreement signed by Russia and Armenia in December, ensuring a growing Russian military
presence in the region for years to come. Armenia currently hosts an estimated 5,000 Russian
military personnel and two Russian bases and, pursuant to a 2010 agreement, stands to receive
modern weaponry and special military hardware from Moscow until 2044. In fact, just last
month Russia announced the intended sale of $200 million worth of arms to Armenia, including
multiple-launch rocket systems, anti-tank missiles, handheld antiaircraft missiles, radar-jamming
systems, armored personnel carriers, sniper rifles and tank upgrades.
This worrisome Armenian-Russian military alliance occurs against the backdrop of an
unprecedented humanitarian crisis as refugees fleeing the conflict in Syria seek safe haven in

 neighboring countries and in Europe. There is little question that the number of victims of
conflict and internally displaced persons are exponentially increased by Russia’s bombing
campaign in Syria, facilitated in large part by its use of Armenia as a satellite state.
Secretary Kerry, as the United States works with its NATO partners and the international
community to reach a diplomatic solution to the Syrian civil war and the migration crisis that has
occurred in its wake, I/we strongly urge you to address the deeply concerning Russian-Armenian
military alliance and its impact on the broader region.
Sincerely,