A Russian Foreign Ministry official today accused the West of seeking to damage Armenia’s and Azerbaijan’s relations with Russia and pointed to the invitation sent to the two countries to attend the 2024 NATO Summit in Washington, D.C. as proof.

“This is another example of the Americans attempting to extend their destructive influence on all regions of the world. With the absolute indulgence of weak-willed satellites in Europe, Washington sets the task of breaking our friends, neighbors from cooperation with Russia," TASS quotes Deputy Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Information and Press Department Andrey Nastasin as saying during a press briefing.

Natasin said outside interference in the South Caucasus has been disastrous and that stability and security in the region can and should be ensured by the countries themselves.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited Armenia in March and said NATO supports Armenian sovereignty and territorial integrity.