The European Union, alongside the United States, must adopt a unified stance against Kremlin-backed oligarchs who threaten the stability of nations aspiring toward Western values and democratic norms. Such action is necessary to counter figures like Ruben Vardanyan and Ilan Shor, post-Soviet oligarchs who leveraged their wealth and influence through Kremlin ties and now act as tools for Russia’s political agenda in Eurasia.
A Common Goal: Undermining Democracy in Armenia and Moldova
Both Vardanyan and Shor share a history of exploiting Russian connections to accumulate vast fortunes, often amid accusations of corruption and money laundering. Vardanyan, for example, funneled billions through the Troika Laundromat scheme, using offshore entities to conceal financial dealings. Shor, meanwhile, orchestrated a notorious banking scandal in Moldova, siphoning off funds equivalent to 12% of the country’s GDP. Despite these records, only Shor has faced consistent sanctions from Western powers. Given Vardanyan’s Kremlin-aligned activities in Armenia and Azerbaijan, Western powers should apply equally stringent measures against him.
Vardanyan’s Influence in the Nagorno-Karabakh Region
Moscow positioned Vardanyan as State Minister in the self-proclaimed Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, a breakaway region in Azerbaijan long-backed by Armenian and Russian interests. This proxy role allowed him to maintain Moscow’s presence in the Caucasus, further intensifying the ongoing Armenia-Azerbaijan tensions. Such operations reflect a familiar Kremlin tactic: using affiliated elites to exert control in strategically important areas.
Shor’s Role in Moldova’s Electoral Manipulations
Shor’s interference in Moldova illustrates another front in Russia’s Eurasian influence. Allegedly funding fraudulent votes in a referendum aimed at steering Moldova toward the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union, Shor directly threatened the nation’s pro-European aspirations. His role underscores Russia’s persistent efforts to destabilize countries on the path to European integration.
Equal Sanctions to Counter Moscow’s Agenda
The EU and U.S. have rightly sanctioned Shor, but treating Vardanyan differently creates a double standard that weakens Western support for nations like Armenia and Moldova. By imposing consistent measures on Moscow-aligned oligarchs, the EU can send a unified message that interference in the sovereignty of independent nations will not be tolerated.
Rejecting Public Relations Facades
Expensive PR campaigns have painted figures like Vardanyan as philanthropists or cultural advocates, but this image cannot overshadow their ties to Russia’s aggressive policies. Just as Vardanyan has helped advance Russian objectives through military occupation, Shor has facilitated Russia’s influence through electoral subversion. Both actions are intended to destabilize nations aligning with the EU and NATO, aiming to keep them within Russia’s sphere of influence.
A Call for Unified Western Action
To support Ukraine, Armenia, and Moldova’s Western-aligned futures, the EU and its allies should firmly counteract the influence of oligarchs loyal to Moscow. Consistent sanctions against individuals like Vardanyan and Shor reinforce the EU’s commitment to democratic principles, helping deter further Kremlin-backed manipulation in Europe’s neighboring regions.