EU Pivot & Diplomacy: PM Nikol Pashinyan met foreign ministry leadership in Gyumri and backed renaming the ministry to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, stressing a stronger economic focus as Armenia enters a “new phase” of peace-building. Russia Tensions: Moscow hit back hard at Security Council chief Alen Simonyan after he said Armenia would not block Russians trying to avoid being sent to the front; Russian officials also warned against “provocative” moves and questioned Armenia’s nuclear energy posture. Border & Mobilization Fears: Reports say over 113,000 Russians crossed into Georgia via Verkhny Lars amid draft rumors, and Armenia is preparing for possible arrivals of draft evaders. SCO Summit Watch: Leaders are set to gather in Bishkek on Sept. 1 for the SCO summit, with Armenia’s PM expected to attend and discuss EU aspirations and opposition arrests. Church Under Pressure: A court moved the case against Catholicos Garegin II and six bishops to determine jurisdiction, as the church-state standoff continues. Tourism Link: Qatar welcomed its first leisure charter flight from Yerevan, aiming to bring about 6,500 Armenian visitors. Citizenship Rules: Armenia plans a mandatory residency requirement for citizenship applicants and digitization of migration services by year-end.