Germany’s Merz Warns of Russian Interference in Armenian Election

Russian interference concerns loom over Armenia’s upcoming election as EU relations strengthen, German Chancellor warns

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has issued a stark warning about potential Russian interference in Armenia’s parliamentary elections scheduled for next year. During a joint press conference in Berlin with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Tuesday, Merz expressed concern that Moscow is actively working to undermine Armenia’s growing ties with the European Union.

“It has become a distressing normality that elections are attacked by enemies of democracy,” Merz stated, directly addressing what he described as Russia’s ongoing efforts to influence the democratic process in Armenia.

The German Chancellor accused Russia of employing hybrid tactics, including “disinformation and sabotage,” to manipulate Armenian voters. “Russia is trying to scare voters in Armenia and spreading untruths about the goals and values of the European Union,” Merz said, adding that “It’s not only Europe that Russia is trying to destabilize through hybrid means, but Armenia too.”

These concerns come at a critical juncture for Armenia, which has been gradually shifting its foreign policy orientation away from its traditional alliance with Russia. In a significant move this March, Armenia’s parliament passed legislation formally initiating the country’s application for European Union membership—a clear signal of Yerevan’s westward pivot.

Prime Minister Pashinyan acknowledged the challenges Armenia faces, noting that the country had already experienced electoral interference. According to a translation provided by the German chancellery, Pashinyan referenced Armenia’s 2021 elections, which occurred “under very difficult circumstances,” and stated that the country “had experience with disinformation.”

Armenia’s geopolitical reorientation comes amid broader tensions between Russia and Western nations. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Western security services have attributed numerous hostile activities to Moscow, including drone incursions, acts of sabotage, cyberattacks, and disinformation campaigns across Europe.

The Caucasus nation’s shift toward the EU represents a significant realignment in a region historically dominated by Russian influence. Chancellor Merz expressed support for Armenia’s European aspirations but emphasized the rigorous standards required for EU membership. “There is now a historic opportunity for Armenia to embark on the path towards Europe,” Merz stated, while cautioning that the country would need to “meet many conditions to join the European Union, including the Copenhagen criteria,” which encompass democratic governance, human rights protections, and economic reforms.

Armenia’s westward pivot has occurred alongside diplomatic progress in its long-standing conflict with neighboring Azerbaijan. In August, the two countries committed to a peace agreement after decades of territorial disputes, with the United States brokering the deal—another indication of Armenia’s diversifying international relationships beyond Russian influence.

The concerns raised by Chancellor Merz highlight the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the South Caucasus region. For Armenia, a landlocked country of approximately three million people, developing stronger ties with the European Union represents both an opportunity for economic development and democratic consolidation, as well as a potential source of tension with its powerful northern neighbor.

As Armenia prepares for parliamentary elections, the international community will be watching closely for signs of external interference, with particular attention to Russian influence operations that might attempt to sway public opinion against closer integration with European institutions.