Armenia eyes Russian expertise on hybrid threats ahead of elections, FM says

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has indicated that Armenia is willing to study Russia’s approach to countering hybrid threats, provided Moscow is willing to share its experience.

The remarks came in response to questions about why Armenia sought support from the European Union to safeguard its upcoming parliamentary elections from foreign interference, rather than turning to Russia, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

“If the Russian Federation has its own experience in countering hybrid threats and is willing to share it, we have no objection. Let them share it, and we will see what that experience entails,” Mirzoyan said at a briefing. He added that the EU “has many years of experience in this area,” noting that previous Armenian administrations had repeatedly sought European assistance during election processes.

Mirzoyan also requested that Brussels deploy a “rapid response team” to help protect the parliamentary elections, scheduled for June 7, against external interference. The Armenian Ministry of Justice emphasized that the EU’s involvement is not directed against Russia.

Responding to the development, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that if assistance concerns the preparation and organization of elections, Moscow is ready to send its own experts to Armenia.

By Vafa Guliyeva