The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement about the deployment of the EU Observation Mission in Armenia, noting that the presence of EU representatives in the border regions of Armenia can only lead to geopolitical confrontation in the region and exacerbate the existing contradictions.

“We are convinced that in the foreseeable future, the key factor of stability and security in the region remains the Russian peacekeeping contingent deployed on the basis of the statement of the leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan on 9 November, 2020, as well as the border guards serving on the borders of Russia and Armenia.

The declared civilian nature of the EU mission should not be misleading either – it is formed within the framework of the EU Common Security and Defense Policy with all the ensuing consequences,” the statement said.