DISINFO: Escalation in Nagorno-Karabakh is a consequence of Western interference
SUMMARY
The tragic and rather unexpected escalation of the situation between Azerbaijan and Armenia is ultimately a consequence of the same phenomenon, namely, the clumsy and irresponsible intervention of Western states, led by the United States, in the internal affairs of other countries and peoples.
RESPONSE
Pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative, accusing the West of causing the September 2023 escalation in Nagorno-Karabakh. This statement is line with the Kremlin’s disinformation policy on the issue of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, i.e. accusing the ever-aggressive 'collective West' which has an anti-Russian agenda in the Caucasus. The claim attempts to pre-empt Russia's weakening position in the region.
Neither the US and European countries, nor NATO have played any role in the decision of Azerbaijan to attack the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The only proven foreign element in this situation was Russia’s passivity – not only militarily, but also diplomatically – despite having peacekeepers in the area and being in a collective defence treaty with Armenia. Moscow’s decision to remain inactive is almost certainly a reaction to Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinyan's strong criticism of Russia and the decision of Armenia to allow US military exercises in its territory, in order to punish the current Armenian government.
This disinformation claim also attempts to discredit Western countries' efforts to mediate the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, with this article even claiming that Western countries made the situation worse.
The article promotes the idea that the Caucasus is exclusively within Russia's zone of geopolitical dominance and attempts to discredit any other mediation efforts in the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The EU has taken on a prominent mediation role in the negotiations and made several attempts to advance a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. (Read here, here, and here).
The EU HRVP, addressing the UN Security Council after the ceasefire agreement, asked Azerbaijan to take concrete measures concerning the urgent humanitarian needs of the Armenian population, as well as guarantee that their rights and security will be respected.
See previous cases on Nagorno-Karabakh here.
Background information:
Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognised as a territory of Azerbaijan, but most of it has been governed by the unrecognised Republic of Artsakh (also known as the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic) since the first Nagorno-Karabakh War. On 19 September 2023, Azerbaijan launched a military operation against Nagorno-Karabakh and demanded the surrender of the Armenian authorities. On 20 September 2023, the authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan announced both sides had agreed to a ceasefire mediated by Russia.