DISINFO: Armenia and Azerbaijan are part of historic Russia, their independence is accidental
SUMMARY
Russia will prevent a full-fledged protracted war between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Both countries are not just located in the Russian sphere of influence, but also belong to the post-Soviet space. Hence, they are part of historic Russia, be it the Russian empire or the USSR. Three decades of independence do not make Armenia and Azerbaijan accomplished sovereign states. Actual sustainable statehood does not stem from an accidental historical occasion such as the break up of the USSR. Armenians and Azeris received their countries largely accidentally.
RESPONSE
This is rare example of a pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the Russian world applied to Armenia and Azerbaijan. It is used much more often to denigrate the history and statehood of Belarus and Ukraine. Armenia and Azerbaijan are sovereign countries and are well-defined nation-states with a long history; both nations preserved language, literature and identity, despite foreign rule for long periods. The recent escalation in the Nagorno-Karabakh region is a continuation of the decades-old conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia. It is reported that nearly 100 people, including civilians, have died as of 29 September 2020. On 27 September, the EU High Representative Josep Borrell made a statement calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities, de-escalation and for strict observance of the ceasefire. The USSR collapsed as a result of many socio-economic and political factors, its break-up was not an accidental occasion as alleged in the article. See earlier disinformation cases claiming that the war in Donbas is a consequence of USSR’s break-up and ban against Russian language, that the West destroyed the USSR and is currently targeting the Union State between Belarus and Russia, that the West destabilises Belarus to destroy Russian civilisation, an alternative route of human development, and that Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was staged by third parties to divert Russia from Belarus and Syria.