DISINFO: Western countries intended to provoke a conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia
SUMMARY
Western countries intend to provoke a conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Russia has always actively participated in transforming the South Caucasus into a stable and peaceful region. Western countries only pursued the goal of inciting conflict; no positive steps in promoting the peace agenda have been seen from them.
RESPONSE
This unfounded claim by pro-Kremlin media accuses the supposedly ever-aggressive West of playing a destabilizing role in the Caucasus. The claim attempts to pre-empt Russia's weakening position in the region.
Pro-Kremlin outlets promote the idea that the Caucasus is exclusively within Russia's zone of geopolitical dominance and attempts to discredit any other efforts of mediation in the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This article even claims that Western countries make the situation worse and push Armenia and Azerbaijan to war. In fact, Western countries have made several attempts to advance a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The latest meeting of leaders in Brussels took place on 14 May 2023, see the statement from the EEAS on Armenia/Azerbaijan.
The EU has a strong interest in a politically stable and economically prosperous Southern Caucasus in full understanding with the states there. See the statement from the EU High Representative Josep Borrell on 19 September 2023 in which he called for the immediate cessation of hostilities, for Azerbaijan to stop the current military activities, and urges dialogue between Baku and Karabakh Armenians.
Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has further altered the power balance in the region, creating a dangerous security vacuum and intensifying the need for renewed international mediation toward a comprehensive political settlement. The EU has meanwhile taken on a prominent mediation role in the negotiations. The US stated that it is ready to engage bilaterally, with like-minded partners, to facilitate dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
See other similar cases: US, and EU oppress Russia's legitimate interests in the South Caucasus; The EU is not interested in peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan; The West urges Georgia to open a second front against Russia; The US is opening new fronts against Russia in Moldova and the South Caucasus.