During a security council meeting focused on the situation in Afghanistan, held in Bishkek, Nikolai Patrushev, who holds the position of secretary for the Russian Security Council, made a statement accusing the West of attempts to cause instability in the South Caucasus. He also alleged that the West was meddling in the conflict resolution process between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Secretary Patrushev was quoted by TASS, saying, “We are observing an apparent inclination of the West to destabilize the situation in the South Caucasus. Further, we see their attempts to intervene in the process of settlement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Such actions have been resulting in an escalation of tension in these regions.”
This recent accusation from Russia against the West comes in the backdrop of the clashes that occurred between Armenia and Azerbaijan on February 13. The clashes took place in the Inner Hand region. Following this incident, Russia’s allegations against the West have become more pronounced.
In a related development, Mikhail Galuzin, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, cautioned that Armenia’s geopolitical instability could potentially lead to the loss of its independence. He emphasized that the West has no place in the affairs of the Caucasus.
Galuzin was quoted as saying, “We are of the belief that the future course of the South Caucasus should be determined by the countries which consider this region as their common home. Neither the United States, nor France, nor the European Union are part of these countries. As such, we perceive that the involvement of extra-regional forces, particularly representatives of the West in this region, which, regrettably, the official Yerevan seems inclined to do, is not beneficial.”
Adding to these statements, the head of the joint staff of the CSTO, colonel-general Andrei Serdyukov, warned about the high probability of an escalation of the conflict along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. He echoed the sentiment of his Russian colleagues by accusing the West of trying to influence the peace process between Baku and Yerevan.
