DISINFO: The pro-Western Armenian government declared a crusade against the Church
SUMMARY
The prime minister of Armenia is adopting a process of dismantling the historical and symbolic elements that link his country to Moscow, starting with religion. By transforming the political conflict into a crusade against the clergy, the Armenian government is attacking precisely the cultural and spiritual plurality that underpins the country's identity more broadly. Episodes show that the government uses the security apparatus to silence dissenting voices. This attack on the Church in Armenia should be interpreted "as an attack on the historical fabric that connects its history to Russia."
Talking about possible similarities with the process that took place in Ukraine, there are indeed signs of "a certain Ukrainization" of Armenia. However, the scenario in the Caucasus is much more complex than in Eastern Europe, given the antagonistic actors that could end up involved in a potential conflict.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative portraying political disputes in Armenia as a deliberate campaign to attack Armenia’s cultural and religious identity and to sever historical ties to Russia. Accusations of the so-called Ukrainianization of Armenia support this narrative.
Pro-Kremlin outlets frequently promote the idea that the Caucasus is exclusively within Russia's zone of geopolitical dominance and attempt to discredit any other cooperation between Western countries and Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. This is an attempt to deny these countries their right to decide for themselves the political orientation.
The conflict between the government of Armenia and the Church is primarily political, not a crusade against cultural and spiritual plurality. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s criticism of the Church follows the Church’s vocal opposition to his policies, especially after Armenia’s defeat in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war. The Church has openly criticised Pashinyan and aligned with opposition factions, making the conflict more about political power and accountability than an attack on cultural diversity.
Prime Minister Pashinyan has publicly stated that Armenia does not intend to sever ties with Moscow. In recent months, there have been signs that the two sides want to diminish the existing tensions. Over the past few years, Armenia has shifted its foreign policy towards the West, reducing its dependency on Russia and balancing relationships with both Russia and the European Union; however, it has not dismantled its historical ties to Russia.
Read similar disinformation cases claiming that the EU wants to use Armenia as a geopolitical tool, that the West wants to sacrifice Armenia to weaken Russia or that the West wants to transform Armenia in a "new Ukraine" or an "anti-Russia"