The European Union has been accused of attempting to exert influence over the electoral process in Armenia.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova addressed these allegations during a recent briefing.
Zakharova stated that recent remarks by Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, reflect specific political agendas regarding the electoral process. Kallas had previously claimed that the Armenian people had chosen a "European future" despite alleged pressure from Russia, and expressed readiness to support reforms within the country.
According to Zakharova, the European Union actively participated during the election period in an attempt to sway the outcome. "Anyone paying attention to the agenda could see that the EU was attempting to micromanage the election period. This included various political missions, official visits, and calls regarding financial support," she asserted.
The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson further alleged that Brussels has sidelined principles of democracy and sovereignty for political objectives, attempting to frame the elections as a purely geopolitical choice. Zakharova argued that this approach risks causing polarization within Armenian society and is aimed at weakening existing ties between Yerevan and Moscow. She also emphasized that despite Armenia not holding official candidate status for EU membership, Brussels continues to make declarations regarding the country's "European future."
The parliamentary elections in Armenia took place on June 7. The European Union has been increasingly active in the South Caucasus region, seeking to expand its influence through various diplomatic initiatives and economic aid packages, often positioning itself as a mediator in regional affairs.
