Galuzin claims EU observers in Armenia are conducting espionage operations

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin has accused European Union observers stationed in Armenia of collecting intelligence data against Azerbaijan, Iran, and Russia instead of protecting Armenia’s borders. Galuzin stated that Armenia could mitigate many of the risks it faces by implementing actions planned under the CSTO to stabilize the situation, including military-technical support, deploying a monitoring mission, and training border guard troops.

Armenia’s relationship with the CSTO has grown stronger following Azerbaijan’s attack in September 2022. Despite Yerevan’s calls for condemnation of the attack and recognition of Azerbaijan’s occupation of Armenian territories, the CSTO has not taken a stance. In response, Armenia rejected the proposal to deploy CSTO observers on the border, with Prime Minister Pashinyan suggesting that Armenia’s membership in the alliance could be frozen if allies do not change their position.

On February 20, 2023, 100 EU observers arrived in Armenia to contribute to stability in border regions and support normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The mission’s mandate is for two years, and in December, the EU Council expanded the mission to 209 observers operating from six offices in various locations in Armenia.