Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s chief diplomat, called on Armenia to safeguard its democratic values during her visit to Yerevan on Monday, amid concerns over “hybrid threats” from Russia.
Relations between Armenia and Russia, its traditional ally, have become strained since Azerbaijan’s 2023 offensive on Nagorno-Karabakh, which Moscow did not intervene to halt. While Russia has long served as the main mediator between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Brussels has recently taken on a more prominent role, especially as Russia grapples with its invasion of Ukraine.
Kallas’s visit followed Armenia’s arrest of a powerful cleric accused of plotting a coup against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. During her discussions with Armenia’s foreign minister Ararat Mirzoyan, she emphasized the importance of defending “Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and specifically Russian hybrid activities in all countries.”
“Armenia’s commitment to democracy and freedom is key,” Kallas stated. “These values must be protected, especially in the face of hybrid threats, disinformation, and foreign interference.”
Mirzoyan warned Moscow against interfering in Armenia’s internal affairs after the arrest of cleric Bagrat Galstanyan. Meanwhile, in Kyrgyzstan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned Armenia against distancing itself from Moscow and against “attacks on the canonical, millennia-old Armenian Apostolic Church.”
Lavrov maintained that Russia does not pressure Armenia but cautioned that “if Armenia turns away from its allies, its closest partners and neighbors, it will hardly be in the interests of the Armenian people.”
In response, Mirzoyan urged Russian officials “to show greater respect for the sovereignty of the Republic of Armenia,” criticizing Lavrov’s comments on Armenia’s internal politics.
Kallas highlighted the growing closeness between the EU and Armenia, announcing a new partnership and a 270-million-euro “resilience and growth plan for 2024-2027.” She also welcomed Armenia’s earlier move to initiate an EU accession process, emphasizing the EU’s support for the country’s sovereignty and democratic development.
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