Russia warns of 'negative consequences' of £230m Armenia-EU deal

Nikol Pashinyan, Prime Minister of Armenia, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State and Josep Borrell, EU Supreme representative in Brussels, Friday Photo: Johanna Heron/Reuters

The Kremlin threatened Armenia with “negative consequences” after the EU pledged more than £230 million to help it weaken ties with Russia.

PM Armenian Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited Brussels on Friday, where he met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, demonstrating his country's diplomatic shift towards the West.

“We will invest in strengthening Armenia's economy and society, making them stronger and more stable in the face of shock,” Ms. von der Leyen said, pledging money to “increase the resilience” of Armenian businesses and society.

< p >After the meeting, the Kremlin accused the West of seeking “geopolitical confrontation” in the South Caucasus.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said attempts by the US and EU to woo Armenia over the past 18 months were “irresponsible and destructive.”

The statement said that they “will lead to the most negative consequences for stability, security and economic development in the region, provoke the emergence of new dividing lines, as well as an uncontrollable increase in tension.”

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Brussels on Friday Photo: Anadolu

Azerbaijan accused Armenia of stationing forces along its unstable border after Pashinyan's meeting in Brussels, which Armenia denied.

Armenia's relations with Russia soured after it accused the Kremlin of breaking its promises to protect it and instead greenlighting an Azerbaijani attack last year on disputed territory controlled by ethnic Armenians. .

Azerbaijan's attack on Nagorno-Karabakh forced Armenia to cede control of the disputed region. About 120,000 ethnic Armenians have fled to Armenia.

Pashinyan has since stepped up negotiations with the West, signed arms deals with France and embarked on a diplomatic campaign that includes upgrading his embassy in London from a rented two-bedroom apartment. office near Earl's Court to a townhouse on Pall Mall.

This year, Armenian officials even said they wanted to leave the Kremlin's Collective Security Treaty Organization — a military alliance between Russia and several post-Soviet states — and join the EU.