EU has discredited itself as a mediator on Armenia issue, says Zakharova

The European Union has discredited itself as a mediator in relation to Armenia. This was stated by Maria Zakharova, a representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, during a press briefing.

According to her, the EU has completely discredited itself not only in the Balkans but also in Armenia. “They made grand promises but did nothing except for provocations, which led to the escalation of the situation. All of this could and should have been solved legally and politically, considering all the historical peculiarities of the situation,” said Zakharova.

When asked how Moscow assesses the actions of the EU mission, particularly in the context of the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, the Russian Foreign Ministry representative emphasized that European observers have taken the lowest position. According to the diplomat, they initially made promises to Armenia, then lured Yerevan into another trap, and afterward became silent observers of the situation.

Zakharova noted that it was the West—particularly the US and the EU—that kept Armenia from following through on agreements reached through Russian mediation. She stated that Brussels was one of the first “singers” suggesting that it was unnecessary to fulfill what had been agreed upon by Moscow, Yerevan, and Baku, but rather to pursue a special path.

“Unfortunately, we are now seeing where this special path has led, and how Russian peacekeepers have acted as mediators in achieving a ceasefire. The European Union has also witnessed all of this,” she remarked.

It is noteworthy that since February 20, a European mission composed of 100 members has been deployed in Armenia for a two-year mandate. Although the EU mission is considered civilian, 50 of its members are gendarmes.

Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry commented on the launch of the EU's new mediation mission, stating that the presence of EU representatives in Armenia's border areas could only bring geopolitical confrontation to the region.