Charity with conditions - how Moscow uses humanitarian tools in Armenia [ANALYSIS] |
Humanitarian aid rarely exists in a political vacuum. When assistance is extended selectively, prolonged indefinitely, and accompanied by the quiet collection of personal data, it ceases to be a purely charitable act. Which brings us to our main topic: Moscow’s decision to extend its “humanitarian” program for Armenians who voluntarily left Garabagh is not simply about food parcels or solidarity. It is about preserving leverage, influence, and relevance in a region where Russia’s role has visibly eroded.
The project aimed at supporting Armenians who left Garabagh, implemented in Armenia by Rossotrudnichestvo in cooperation with the non-profit organisation Eurasia and the Russian Humanitarian Mission, has now been extended until at least 2026. Officially, the extension is explained by the “continued flow of applications.” In practice, however, it reflects Russia’s determination to keep the Garabagh issue alive as a political and informational instrument, long after the conflict itself has been resolved.
Deputy Head of Rossotrudnichestvo Igor Chayka openly stated that the project was planned as a long-term initiative and that its purpose is to demonstrate “Russia’s solidarity with the Garabagh Armenians.” This wording is revealing. Solidarity here is not framed in universal humanitarian terms, but through a specific........