Russia has accused France of fueling conflict in the South Caucasus by signing a deal to sell artillery systems to Armenia. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that Paris is provoking armed confrontation in the region. Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry also criticized France for hindering the normalization of relations between Yerevan and Baku.
Azerbaijan accused Armenia of pursuing a policy of revanchism, warning of the potential for a new war. Armenia’s acquisition of French-made CAESAR self-propelled howitzers represents a shift towards strengthening security ties with the West amidst strained relations with Russia.
Since Russian peacekeepers did not intervene during Azerbaijan’s offensive in Nagorno Karabakh in 2023, Armenia’s trust in Moscow has diminished. The sale of artillery systems to Armenia by France highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the South Caucasus region.