EU Sends Experts to Armenia to Counter Russian Propaganda and Interference

The European Union is sending a team of experts specialized in combating Russian propaganda and interference to Armenia as it ramps up support for the former Soviet republic during a tense political period.

EU leaders will hold their first summit with Armenia on Tuesday in Yerevan, following a pan-European gathering of about 45 leaders at the European Political Community summit there.

The EU has deepened ties with Armenia as Russian influence has declined since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which has diverted attention from countries it views as its near abroad.

At the summit, Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa are expected to endorse an EU mission to counter foreign interference. They will also discuss energy, transport and economic support.

The EU is establishing a team of 20 to 30 civilian experts for a two-year mission based in Armenia. The group aims to strengthen responses to Russian cyber-attacks, information manipulation, interference and illicit financial flows. The mission, which could expand in size and length, is set to begin after parliamentary elections on June 7.

Separately, the EU's foreign service has announced a hybrid rapid-response team to combat foreign interference ahead of those elections, which will shape whether Armenia continues on a pro-Western course.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said last month, "Armenians are facing massive disinformation campaigns and cyber-attacks. When Armenians go to the polls in June, they alone should choose their country’s future."

A senior EU official called the EU-Armenia summit a critical milestone in relations and a symbol of Armenia's gradual geographic reorientation toward the West. The EU seeks to upgrade transport links, advance the green transition and negotiate eventual visa-free short stays for Armenians.

Armenia long served as Russia's closest ally in the Caucasus, but disillusionment grew after Moscow withheld military aid in the 2020 and 2023 Nagorno-Karabakh wars. The 2018 velvet revolution, which stressed democracy and rule of law, further diverged Armenia from Russia, which has grown more authoritarian.

Even before a peace deal with Azerbaijan, Armenia moved toward the EU. Pashinyan told the European Parliament in March that Armenia intends to adopt EU standards, and its parliament passed a law last year signaling an EU membership application.

Russia remains a key trading and security partner with a base in Gyumri and has pressured Armenia through restrictions on imports of Armenian mineral water and cognac. President Vladimir Putin warned Pashinyan that cheap Russian gas supplies are at risk if Armenia deepens European integration.

Last week, European Parliament members urged stronger EU action beyond symbolism. A non-binding resolution called for a robust international election observation mission, cybersecurity for voting infrastructure and safeguards against vote buying.