DISINFO: The presence of the EU mission in Armenia is to strengthen NATO and the US in the region
SUMMARY
The presence of the EU mission in Armenia is part of a policy to strengthen NATO, and therefore the US, in the region. It would be a mistake to think that the US and NATO need peace in the South Caucasus.
The observers, in essence, perform a dual task. On the one hand, they strengthen NATO's influence in the South Caucasus, on the other, their presence exacerbates the situation. Visits by European officials and monitoring missions are often accompanied by surges in tension.
RESPONSE
This unfounded and recurring claim by pro-Kremlin and other Russian state-controlled outlets accuses an ever-aggressive West and NATO/US of playing a destabilising role in the Caucasus. This piece also recalls another often-used pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative attempting to discredit the EU mission to Armenia, linking it with NATO and accusing it of destabilisation activities.
The allegations that the West plans to deploy a NATO contingent in the South Caucasus are baseless. 'These comments are full of nonsense and the usual lies and manipulations typical for the Russian regime that tries to cover its repeated failures to deliver on its promises and commitments to Armenia,' EEAS spokesperson Peter Stano said.
The claim that visits by European officials and monitoring missions lead to surges in tension is not accurate. In fact, after the EUMA was deployed, there were no serious escalations in the areas of the border they monitored
The EU Mission in Armenia (EUMA) is a civilian mission that observes and reports on the security situation on the ground, contributes to the security of the people in conflict-affected areas in Armenia, and builds confidence on the ground. Through its presence, EUMA also contributes to ensuring an environment conducive to the normalisation efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan supported by the EU. The mission was launched in Armenia in response to a request by Armenia. EUMA conducts routine patrolling and reports on the situation, which strengthens the EU’s understanding of the situation on the ground.
It has no links to NATO or troops from its member countries. The US is not planning to take part in the EU civilian mission, as stated by an EUMA spokesperson and the US Ambassador to Armenia.
See other examples of similar disinformation narratives in our database: The West wants to deploy its contingent in Transcaucasia under the auspices of NATO; the EU mission in Armenia is an instrument of the EU's hybrid war; the US wants to bring NATO forces into the Caucasus through the EU mission; The EU mission is working against Russia and Iran; EU mission is spying on Russia, Iran, and Azerbaijan from the territory of Armenia; The presence of the EU Mission in Armenia opens the possibility for the deployment of NATO troops in the Caucasus; EU Mission in Armenia turning into a NATO mission thanks to Western efforts.