Of course, it is good that the French online publication La Gazette du Caucase published an article citing the results of an investigation by the Armenian online newspaper Hetq and the Russian-language publication The Insider. According to this investigation, Russia has been sending billions of dollars’ worth of gold to Armenia since 2022. This revelation allows us to better understand how Armenia has become the main intermediary in the gold trade, even in the country that protects Armenia more than others.

In simple terms, Armenia is actively helping Russia to circumvent EU and US sanctions. At the same time, companies connected to Armenian politicians and businessmen with ties to the Russian Federation are involved in the import and re-export of Russian gold. Among the largest importers in 2024 are enterprises linked to Khachatur Sukiasyan, a member of the ruling Civil Contract party, as well as companies owned by Armen Tadevosyan, the head of Tibi Arm LLC. In January-May of this year, these firms imported gold worth hundreds of millions of dollars from Russian banks.

It is clear that such operations could not have taken place without the consent of Armenia’s top leadership, including Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The report also notes that Armenia has become a key player not only in the gold trade but also in the diamond trade. The export of these goods is carried out with the approval of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia.

It is entirely correct that the La Gazette du Caucase article concludes by questioning the position of countries like France, which imposes sanctions on Russia while continuing to support Armenia. However, there is one point I strongly disagree with. The claim that the investigation may lead to sanctions against those involved in the trade of Russian sanctioned goods is overly naive and erroneous.

For a variety of reasons. First, none of the leading French or, more broadly, European and American media have reported on this issue. Predictably, journalists from Le Figaro and Le Monde have adopted an "ostrich position" on the matter. These outlets specialize in futilely searching for a speck in Azerbaijan's eye, while simultaneously ignoring the beam in Armenia's.

Yes, these publications, like many others in France and across Europe, have actively participated in anti-Azerbaijani information campaigns. This began with the smear campaigns surrounding the Eurovision Song Contest in Baku, the first-ever European Games, Formula 1 races, and the COP29 climate summit. And how loudly they screamed during and after Azerbaijan’s brilliant victories in the 44-day war and in the one-day anti-terrorist operation in Azerbaijan’s Karabakh region!

However, my focus here is on the peak moments of anti-Azerbaijani hysteria in these media. They have spread lies and nonsense about our country and continue to do so without cause. These lies have shaped a distorted image of reality in French society, where Armenia is not seen as the country that has occupied 20% of Azerbaijan's territory for over a quarter of a century, but as a victim of "Azerbaijani aggression against the Karabakh Armenians."

French politicians, led by President Emmanuel Macron, repeat the same narrative, playing along with Armenia’s propaganda. Macron, the same person who called Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev during the 44-day war, spreading Armenian fake news and trying to halt the victorious advance of the Azerbaijani army on its own territory, is now silent. After the publication of Armenia’s role in helping Russia circumvent EU and US sanctions, Macron has nothing to say.

Predictably, French Prime Minister Michel Barnier is also silent. In 2021, he made an illegal visit to the temporarily occupied territories of Azerbaijan to meet with the leaders of the Karabakh junta. He made this trip alongside French presidential candidate, and later the head of the Île-de-France region, Valérie Pécresse. This lady, of course, is also silent, ignoring information about how Armenia is helping Russia bypass Western sanctions.

All the members of the French Senate are also silent. This is the same Senate that, immediately after the end of the 44-day war, adopted a useless resolution "recognizing the independence" of the fictitious entity known as "Artsakh." All of them, I must note, have placed themselves in an absurd position. They claimed to support increased political and economic pressure on Russia, but remain silent after revelations that Armenia has been helping Russia evade sanctions—exactly what these politicians have been advocating against. Is this hypocrisy? Not at all. This is French politics, in all its squalor, falsehood, and double standards.