Vaհe H Apelian
A few days ago, on October 22, 2025, Pietro Shakarian discussed his book - "ANASTAS MIKOYAN An Armenian Reformer in Khruschev’s Kremlin” - at the Armenian News Network - Groong Podcast. On a lighter note, he told the following two anecdotes about Anastas Mikoyan
Pietro shakarian is a historian of Russia and the Soviet Union. He earned his PhD in History at The Ohio State University (2016-2021), MA in Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor (2013-2015), and his BA in History at John Carroll University in Cleveland (2008-2012). He also received MLIS, Library and Information Science, at Ken State University (2012-2013) He has been a postdoctoral fellow in St. Petersburg, Russia and has done research in Yerevan Armenia. Recently he had his first book published titled "ANASTAS MIKOYAN An Armenian Reformer in Khruschev’s Kremlin”. The launching of the book took place in Yerevan on July 31, 2025, (see the link below).
The anecdotes:
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Anastas Mikoyan and Che Guevara had a professional, diplomatic relationship, as Soviet and Cuban officials in the early 1960s, dealing about the fallout of the Cuban Missile Crisis. They also had economic discussions, such as negotiating Soviet purchases of Cuban sugar and oil.
It appears that their negotiations were not proceeding smoothly, to which, according to Pietro Shakarian, Anastas Mikoyan tells Che Guevara something to the effect, “no wonder, Che in Armenian means No!”
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In early 1960’s Catholicos of All Armenian Vazken I, invited the eminent writer and editor of his weekly Nairi, Antranig Zarougian to Armenia. His stay in Armenia coincided with a visit by the USSR politburo member Anastas Mikoyan to Yerevan to deliver an important speech that would be heard all over the Soviet Union. Catholicos Vazken was invited to the speech and was escorted to a central at a central box. It was an unprecedent honor a highest official of the Soviet Union, the atheist communist Anastas Mikoyan had extended to the head of the Armenian Apostolic church in Ethcmiadzin. I quote in translation what transpired after the speech.
“Mikoyan has ended his speech and he starts conversing in Armenian. He is joyful, witty and robust as if he is not the person who delivered a two-hour speech. There is a break for 20 minutes after which the reception would follow with music and dance. Thousands of eyes now remain focused on the Catholicos, who is not unaware or indifferent of the attention, but he has nothing to say.
Two persons enter the box where the Catholicos is seated.
“Vehapar, Comrade Mikoyan would like to meet you. He would have come to escort you but the buffet is ready, so he asks you to join him there.”
A pillar of Kremlin would not want to appear escorting a clergyman. All those in the hall are members of the party, committed communists, but they are Armenians. Asking outright the Catholicos to come to him would not sit well with many. In a typical Mikoyan style, the message is subtly delivered that he would have escorted the Vehapar but the buffet is ready for both of them to head there together.
It turns out that it is not the first time that Mikoyan has met the Vehapar. Seven years ago, they have met in Bucharest during a reception in honor of Mikoyan hosted by the Romanian government.
“I was surprised to see among the guest an Armenian priest,” says Mikoyan. On the podium, it seemed Mikoyan was struggling with his Armenian. In close circles his Armenian is flawless. He reminisces about his student days.
“That Armenian priest wanted to make a clergy out of me, the priest…”. He seeks to remember the name and suddenly with an air of triumph says, “Yes, Karekin Vartabed". He is happy he remembers the name fifty years later. He suddenly realizes the Vartabed was no other than the Catholicos of the Cilician See, Karekin I.
“The good man worked hard to make something out of me, but out came a good-for-nothing”.
“Mister Mikoyan, I wish all those good-for-nothings would have been much like you,” remarks the Catholicos."
Link: Pietro Shakarian launches his “Antastas Mikoyan, An Armenian Reformer in Khruschev’s Kremlin” book:
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