Armenia has formally requested European Union assistance ahead of its 2026 parliamentary elections to counter “hybrid,” “cyber,” and “information threats,” a move confirmed during the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels on December 15. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said Yerevan is seeking support similar to that provided to Moldova, as the EU moves forward with multiple assistance packages totaling at least €27 million aimed at strengthening Armenia’s democratic institutions, resilience, cybersecurity, and ability to counter “disinformation,” amid growing concerns within the EU about external interference targeting the country’s electoral process.
“Armenia has elections coming, and what can we do to help them? They have asked similar help to fight the ‘malign influence,’ like we granted to Moldova,” said Kallas ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting.
Moldova previously received EU support through a partnership mission established amid concerns over “hybrid threats” following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Moldovan officials have repeatedly accused Moscow of attempting to undermine democratic institutions ahead of elections, claims rejected by both the country’s pro-Russian opposition and Russia.
“Russia will attempt to influence the upcoming parliamentary elections,” the Permanent Representation of the Czech Republic to the European Union said in a statement. The Czech mission said the foreign ministers of EU member states highly appreciated the progress made in the peace process with Azerbaijan, as well as the reforms implemented by the Armenian government. EU countries also expressed their readiness to support Armenia in strengthening its capabilities to counter “hybrid” and “cyber threats,” as well as “disinformation.”
Armenia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that “hybrid threats” were among the topics discussed in Brussels but did not elaborate on their nature or origin. Speaking to reporters, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said, “We reviewed the main pillars of EU–Armenia cooperation, including economic engagement, resilience-building, and security-related matters such as ‘hybrid threats,’ as well as assistance provided through the European Peace Facility.”
According to the Armenian Foreign Ministry, EU member states expressed support for Armenia’s democratic development, resilience, and efforts to counter “hybrid” and “cyber threats” following the meeting between Mirzoyan and members of the Council of EU Foreign Ministers in Brussels. EU partners also reaffirmed their support for Armenia’s stability and for the peace process in the region. Mirzoyan noted that it was “a pleasure to be back in Brussels just two weeks after a very successful Armenia–EU Partnership Council,” where the Strategic Agenda for Armenia–EU Partnership was adopted.
At that same council, the European Union announced €12 million in targeted support for Armenia ahead of the 2026 parliamentary elections, aimed at countering “disinformation,” strengthening democratic institutions, and enhancing cybersecurity. Earlier in December, Kallas announced a separate €15 million EU support package aimed at strengthening Armenia’s peace and resilience, noting that the European Union is supporting Armenia in addressing challenges in the “information domain” as part of broader efforts to safeguard democratic processes.
EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said the €12 million package will target state institutions, civil society, and the media, with successful practices used in Moldova serving as a model. “The support will help institutions respond to ‘hybrid threats,’ develop rapid-response mechanisms against foreign information manipulation, and strengthen fact-based reporting,” Kos said, adding that the EU’s goal is to safeguard Armenia’s democratic process regardless of political changes and describing the assistance as a strategic investment ahead of the elections.
While Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and other Armenian officials have not directly blamed Moscow, Kallas’s disclosure of Armenia’s request for election-related support reflects Yerevan’s acknowledgment of the risks posed by external interference.
On the sidelines of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting, Romanian Foreign Minister Oana-Silvia ?oiu said there are broad opportunities for expanding cooperation with Armenia aimed at strengthening the country’s stability and vitality. She said she held a detailed exchange of views with Mirzoyan, as well as with other EU foreign ministers, emphasizing that Armenia is important for the European Union. “There are broad opportunities for expanding cooperation to strengthen Armenia’s stability and vitality. We expressed support for all efforts aimed at establishing sustainable peace and prosperity in the South Caucasus,” ?oiu said, adding that Romania will continue working to further develop bilateral relations with Armenia.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Mirzoyan said progress on visa liberalization was reviewed, calling it a priority for Armenian citizens and a key step toward closer ties with the European Union. “We assessed the progress in the visa liberalization process, a topic which is very important for the citizens of the Republic of Armenia and in terms of bringing Armenia closer to the European Union,” he said.
Regional developments were also discussed. According to the Foreign Ministry, EU partners expressed support for efforts to unblock communications in the South Caucasus and for initiatives aimed at further consolidating peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The European Union also signaled openness to potential involvement in infrastructure projects related to the reopening of regional transport links. “There is also the bigger picture, the regional developments, the opening of communications between South Caucasian countries, and the opportunities lying therein,” Mirzoyan said, adding, “We discussed and would welcome the EU’s possible involvement in infrastructure projects.”
