The European Union (EU) aims to push Russia out of Transcaucasia, and it is shamelessly attempting to interfere in Moscow's trilateral work with Baku and Yerevan. Denis Gonchar, Director of the Fourth Department of the CIS Countries of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told this to RIA Novosti.

"It is noteworthy that Brussels’ getting active in the South Caucasus took place amid the sanctions unleashed by the West against Russia and the suspension of joint work through the OSCE Minsk Group," said Gonchar.

According to him, the EU "does not even hide that [its] main goal is to push Russia out of Transcaucasia."

"These are zero-sum geopolitical games that we [i.e., Russia] do not play. We are engaged in practical work every day, which is based on the direct contacts of our leaders and foreign ministers, the historical closeness of our countries, the interweaving of interests, and is focused on building a safer and more prosperous future in our shared region," the Russian official added.