The West Is Trying to Transfer the Confrontation Schemes Developed in Ukraine to the South Caucasus – Zakharova

Russia's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova has issued a statement in response to media requests for comment on the ongoing developments regarding the normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations.

In the statement, she said: "We cannot be unconcerned about the alarming trends emerging in the South Caucasus, where the West is clearly trying to transfer confrontation schemes developed in Ukraine. We see the unprecedented pressure that brotherly Armenia is facing from abroad. Steps are being taken to discredit Russia's policy in the region in the pursuit of damaging the centuries-old ties between our countries and peoples. Numerous foundations, civic organizations, and media operating at the behest of Washington and Brussels are vengefully striving to sow anti-Russian sentiments within society."

Zakharova also expressed confidence that attempts by external forces to sow discord between Moscow and Yerevan will not succeed: "We are committed to strengthening our strategic alliance and multilateral cooperation with Armenia, which will enable us to jointly overcome existing challenges."

“The West's brazen and impudent approach can also be observed in the resolution of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations. Neither the regional specifics of the problem nor its particular sensitivity are taken into account. The real goals of Washington and Brussels are not to develop compromise and balanced solutions, but to self-promote and push Russia out of the South Caucasus. Our trilateral developments are being appropriated and distorted. The arrival of Western emissaries under the guise of the EU, OSCE, and France to Armenia has become frequent. Hastily concocted initiatives that do not take into account the interests of the entire population of the region are being pushed forward. This threatens to break the balance achieved under difficult conditions based on the November 9, 2020 agreements between the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia.”

“At the same time, unfounded accusations are being circulated that Moscow is not fulfilling its security commitments towards Armenia. In this regard, we would like to remind that it was our country that halted the war in November 2020, sent peacekeepers who brought peace and stability to the region, and continue to play a decisive role in resolving armed incidents between Baku and Yerevan. Attempts by external forces to achieve the withdrawal of Russian peacekeeping forces are aimed at destabilizing the South Caucasus,” the statement reads.