The West seeks to introduce its ‘peacekeeping’ contingent of NATO nations in Transcaucasia, allegedly to assist settle relations between Yerevan and Baku, Russian Federal Safety Service Director Alexander Bortnikov stated.

‘The People and Europeans are clearly not fascinated by establishing stability in Transcaucasia. Inclining Yerevan to delay negotiations with Baku, the West is attempting to steer the method of Azerbaijani-Armenian settlement and obtain the deployment of its personal ‘peacekeeping’ contingent within the area – below the auspices of the UN, however in actuality – the NATO one.’ This was acknowledged by Bortnikov, talking at a gathering of the Council of Heads of Safety Our bodies and Particular Providers of the CIS in Astana.

Based on him, the EU commentary mission deployed on the border of Armenia and Azerbaijan ‘is conducting intelligence actions within the pursuits of a selected NATO nation in opposition to Russia and its companions.’

In alternate for favorable arms provides and safety ensures, the West is pushing for the Armenian authorities to withdraw from the CSTO, which might make Yerevan much more depending on NATO for its relations with Baku.

‘Given the earlier expertise of NATO mediation in numerous areas of the world, NATO’s entrenchment in Transcaucasia won’t contribute to stability within the area,’ Bortnikov pressured.

Recall that the EU long-term mission was deployed to Armenia on 20 February 2023 for a interval of two years and consisted of 100 individuals. In December 2023, the EU introduced the growth of the mission to 209 individuals.