Recent developments in Armenia have reignited debates over geopolitical realignments in the South Caucasus. Footage has surfaced of European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA) observers conducting surveillance along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. The mission, originally deployed in February 2023 with a mandate expiring in 2025, has now been extended for an additional two years—prompting speculation about its evolving role.

This decision raises critical questions: Is the EU mission transitioning from a monitoring role to a more active Western military presence? How will Russia react, particularly in light of Armenia’s recent decision to withdraw Russian border troops from the Armenia-Iran frontier? If Yerevan insists on defending its borders independently, why does it continue to rely on a Western mission to oversee the region? Could the extension of EUMA’s mandate signal a gradual substitution of Russian forces with Western security structures?

Tural Heybatov

On November 25, Polish President Andrzej Duda embarked on a two-day visit to Armenia, during which he participated in a patrol of the EU Mission in Armenia (EUMA) in the northern part of Yerevan’s border with Azerbaijan’s autonomous Nakhchivan exclave. Despite warnings from Baku, Duda visited the border region. In response, Baku summoned the charge d’affaires to protest Duda’s visit near the village of Kerki, accusing the Polish president of engaging in “anti-Azerbaijani propaganda” alongside EUMA staff.

By Tural Heybatov

Since the beginning of October, an unusual activity has been observed along the notional Armenian-Azerbaijani border. Fortunately, it’s not military activity, yet the seemingly endless visits by foreign figures provoke just as much concern. This is not about Caucasian hospitality but rather about openly provocative actions by foreign intelligence agencies.