US and EU attempt to maintain influence over Armenia through grants, says analyst

Grigory Balasanyan, an Armenian expert on international affairs, has said the US and EU have no influence either on the current regional situation or on Azerbaijan.

Instead, they are attempting to create dependency in Armenia through grants to keep it within their sphere of influence, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

Balasanyan highlighted that, despite the hype surrounding European funding, the proposed €10 million from the European Peace Facility is modest compared to other expenditures, such as the $20 million allocated for a Snoop Dogg concert.

"In other words, €10 million is not a significant amount worth making sacrifices for," he said.

The same goes for US assistance and trade, which he described as trivial compared to the potential impact on regional relationships.

He further asserted that the West uses Armenia to advance its own goals in the region at Armenia's expense.

Balasanyan emphasized the need for Armenia to foster and develop relationships with all countries without compromising its own interests: "Strengthening and developing relations with other nations is important, but it should not come at the expense of Armenia’s own interests."