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Armenian authorities have formally asked the European Union for assistance in combating potential Russian interference ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for June, according to documents obtained by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
The request, made in a February 13 letter from Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, seeks the deployment of a specialized “hybrid rapid response team” to identify and counter Russian disinformation efforts during the election period, RFE/RL’s Europe editor Rikard Jozwiak reported.
Brussels is currently preparing to respond to the request and is considering not only a temporary deployment but potentially establishing a more permanent civilian mission with a similar mandate in Armenia in the future. This move comes amid increasingly strained relations between Armenia and its traditional ally Russia.
The proposed assistance would be modeled after a similar EU initiative in Moldova last year, where a 20-member team was deployed during that country’s parliamentary elections. Both EU officials and Moldovan authorities deemed that mission a success, and the bloc now appears eager to replicate the approach in Armenia.
“Both Brussels and Chișinău deemed the project a success and the European Union is now keen to replicate the effort in Armenia as the country faces crucial elections that Russia is expected to try to influence,” Jozwiak wrote in the report.
The EU’s support to Moldova included targeted measures to enhance cybersecurity capabilities and combat illegal financial flows, as well as counter foreign information manipulation and interference efforts. These tools could form the framework for the assistance Armenia is now seeking.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas confirmed Armenia’s request in December 2025, noting that Armenia had asked for “similar help to fight the malign influence, like [the EU] granted to Moldova.”
The request comes amid a significant geopolitical shift in the South Caucasus region. Armenia has been steadily pivoting away from its traditional alliance with Russia following what many Armenians perceived as Moscow’s failure to support them during the 2020 and subsequent 2023 conflicts with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh.
This diplomatic realignment was further solidified in December 2025 when Armenia and the EU signed a new strategic agenda that prioritizes cooperation against hybrid threats. The agreement represents a deepening of ties between Yerevan and Brussels at a time when Armenia’s relationship with the Kremlin has deteriorated.
Armenian officials have repeatedly accused Russia over the past year of conducting a hybrid campaign against the country, allegations that Moscow has firmly rejected. Russian officials have described these accusations as “another round of aggressive language that causes bewilderment.”
The upcoming June parliamentary elections in Armenia are widely seen as crucial for the country’s future geopolitical orientation. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who came to power following the 2018 “Velvet Revolution,” has faced significant domestic challenges, including criticism over his handling of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and subsequent territorial losses to Azerbaijan.
Political analysts suggest that Russian influence operations could attempt to exploit these vulnerabilities and domestic divisions to shape the election outcome in favor of more pro-Russian political forces in Armenia.
The EU’s willingness to support Armenia against potential election interference reflects Brussels’ broader strategy of strengthening ties with Eastern Partnership countries and countering Russian influence in its neighborhood – a policy that has gained renewed urgency following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
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13 Comments
Combating foreign disinformation is a growing challenge for democracies. Armenia’s request for EU assistance is a pragmatic step, and the potential for a more permanent civilian mission there is intriguing. It will be crucial to closely monitor the team’s effectiveness and adaptability to changing tactics.
You raise a good point. Disinformation tactics are constantly evolving, so any anti-disinformation efforts will need to be flexible and responsive. The permanent mission idea could provide that agility, if implemented thoughtfully.
The strained relations between Armenia and Russia make this request for EU help very timely. Disinformation can have severe consequences for election integrity, so I’m glad to see Armenia taking proactive steps. The EU’s experience in Moldova will likely inform their approach in Armenia.
This is a prudent move by Armenia to enlist EU assistance in countering Russian disinformation. Protecting the integrity of elections is essential for any democracy, so I’m glad to see this collaborative effort taking shape. The potential for a permanent civilian mission is an intriguing long-term solution worth exploring further.
Absolutely. A permanent EU mission focused on combating disinformation could pay dividends beyond just the upcoming Armenian elections. Replicating successful models like the one in Moldova is a smart approach as countries grapple with these complex hybrid threats.
Interesting move by Armenia to combat Russian disinformation ahead of elections. The EU deployment of a specialized rapid response team could be an effective way to identify and counter propaganda efforts. It will be important to see how this mission unfolds and what lessons can be applied to other countries facing similar challenges.
You’re right, this initiative in Armenia could set a valuable precedent for addressing foreign interference in elections. It will be crucial to monitor the team’s effectiveness and whether it can serve as a model for other nations.
This is an important development in the fight against foreign interference in elections. Armenia’s move to enlist EU support demonstrates a commitment to protecting its democratic processes. The rapid response team model could become a valuable tool for other countries facing similar challenges from Russia or other bad actors.
Agreed. If successful, this initiative in Armenia could set a precedent for how the EU and other international bodies can assist countries in countering disinformation campaigns targeting elections. The potential for a permanent mission is an intriguing long-term solution.
Armenia’s request for EU assistance in combating Russian disinformation is a prudent step given the heightened geopolitical tensions in the region. Establishing a permanent civilian mission with a similar mandate could be a game-changer in the fight against hybrid threats targeting democratic processes.
I agree, a permanent EU mission focused on countering disinformation could have lasting impact beyond just the upcoming elections in Armenia. It will be interesting to see if this model is expanded to other countries facing similar challenges.
Kudos to Armenia for taking this proactive step to combat Russian disinformation ahead of their elections. The EU’s experience in Moldova will likely inform their approach, but the dynamic nature of these threats means constant vigilance and adaptability will be critical. I hope this mission can make a meaningful impact.
This is a concerning situation, but Armenia’s proactive approach to enlist EU support is commendable. Disinformation campaigns can undermine the integrity of elections, so I’m glad to see efforts to combat this threat. The success of the Moldova mission will be closely watched as a potential blueprint.