Zakharova: EU trying to enslave Armenia with financial aid

Brussels seeks to strengthen its influence in Yerevan through financial machinations, the Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said, Report informs.

"Brussels has repeatedly promised money to Armenia. And to what extent the promise is being fulfilled, one should ask in Yerevan: have they received this money or not?" said Zakharova.

According to her, Russia is not going to check how much money Brussels has allocated to Armenia, but the West always "gives generous promises" and thus consolidates its influence in third countries.

"We are not going to look into their pockets, but it seems obvious to me that this is a classic of the genre: giving generous promises, and then under the sauce of financial messages to enslave, and then manage processes, getting benefits only for themselves," said Zakharova, noting that the West registers the same amounts several times as new financial aid: "Such manipulations include promising one amount, but giving several times less due to alleged non-compliance with conditions, Brussels often does this, while trying to interest foreign partners in receiving assistance from the EU."

According to the diplomat, the EU also hooks third countries on supposedly preferential loans, creating a "civil pro-Western society" there, fueling them with grants.

"This has long ceased to be aid, but a lever of influence on the policies of third countries. We are convinced that assistance for socio-economic development should be carried out on completely different foundations. It is necessary to respect sovereignty, honor identity, respect foreign policy and economic interests, and such an event should not become a tool for causing damage to third countries or creating instability," concluded Zakharova.