West's agenda in South Caucasus doesn't always meet interests of regional states, Russia says

Agenda of the West in the South Caucasus region does not always meet the interests of regional nations, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin told Sputnik, commenting on growing military cooperation between Paris and Yerevan.

On Tuesday, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said Armenia had signed a contract with France for the purchase of French-made Caesar self-propelled howitzers, which Paris supplies to Kiev.

"Extra-regional [countries] go to the South Caucasus with their own agenda, which, mildly speaking, does not always meet the interests of regional states. Today, Western countries are coming to the South Caucasus with an openly confrontational agenda aimed against Russia. We believe it will not contribute to stability and security in Transcaucasia," Galuzin said.

"We believe regional security can be ensured more effectively through the efforts of nations of the said region. We advocate regional responsibility both in terms of security and in terms of economic integration in the South Caucasus and other regions," the diplomat added.